List of Native American jurists Facts for Kids

Native Americans have played important roles in the justice system across the United States. A judge is a public official who listens to and decides cases in a court of law. This means they help solve disagreements and make sure laws are followed fairly.

Native American judges serve in many different types of courts. Some work in tribal courts, which handle laws for their own Native nations. Others work in state courts, which deal with laws for a specific state. And some even serve in federal courts, which handle laws for the entire country. These judges help make sure that justice is served for everyone.

Meet Some Native American Judges
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Meet Some Native American Judges

Judges in Tribal Courts

Tribal courts are super important for Native nations. They help keep communities safe and uphold tribal laws and traditions.

Abby Abinanti (Yurok Nation)

Abby Abinanti is a very special judge from the Yurok Nation in California. She was the first Native American woman to become a judge in California's state courts. She worked for the San Francisco Superior Court for many years. Since 1997, she has also been a judge for the Yurok Tribal Court, and since 2007, she has been its Chief Judge. She helps her tribe solve problems and keep their community strong.

Jessica R. Bear (Meskwaki Nation)

Jessica R. Bear is the Chief Judge for the Meskwaki Nation Tribal Court in Iowa. She has been a judge there since 2007 and became Chief Judge in 2013. She plays a key role in leading her tribe's justice system.

William D. Johnson (Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation)

William D. Johnson has been a judge for the Umatilla Tribal Court in Oregon since 1980. He became the Chief Judge in 1988 and continues to serve his community.

Judges in State Courts

State courts handle many different kinds of cases, from local issues to bigger state-wide laws. Native American judges in these courts help make sure everyone gets a fair hearing.

Anne McKeig (White Earth Band of Ojibwe)

Anne McKeig from the White Earth Band of Ojibwe is a judge on the Minnesota Supreme Court. She first served on a district court in Minnesota from 2008 to 2016. Then, in 2016, she was appointed to the state's highest court, the Minnesota Supreme Court, where she still serves today.

Raquel Montoya-Lewis (Pueblo of Laguna)

Raquel Montoya-Lewis is a judge on the Washington Supreme Court. She is from the Pueblo of Laguna. Before joining the state's highest court in 2020, she was a judge for the Whatcom County Superior Court from 2015 to 2020.

Deborah L. Sanchez (Chumash people)

Deborah L. Sanchez is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. She is from the Chumash people. She has been serving in this important role since 2006.

Judges in Federal Courts

Federal courts are the highest level of courts in the United States. Judges here handle cases that involve federal laws or issues between states.

Ada E. Brown (Choctaw Nation)

Ada E. Brown from the Choctaw Nation is a federal judge. She serves on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, a very important position. Before that, she was a judge on the Fifth Court of Appeals of Texas from 2013 to 2019.

Diane Humetewa (Hopi)

Diane Humetewa is a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. She is a member of the Hopi Tribe. She made history as the first Native American woman to serve as a federal judge. She started this role in 2014. Before that, she was a judge for the Hopi Appellate Court from 2002 to 2007.

Lauren J. King (Muscogee (Creek) Nation)

Lauren J. King is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. She is from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She began her service in this federal court in 2021.

Sunshine Sykes (Navajo)

Sunshine Sykes is a judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California. She is a member of the Navajo Nation. She started her federal role in 2022, after serving on the Riverside County Superior Court from 2013 to 2022.

List of Native American jurists facts for kids

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