Sokaogon Chippewa Community News

New Tribal Court Judge

On Wednesday, the new Sokaogon Chippewa Community Tribal Court Judge was sworn in by Robert Van Zile, Jr., Tribal Chairman.

Tish Keahna Kruzan, Chief Judge of the Tribal Court, will serve a three year term.

Tish is a Meskwaki Nation Tribal Member her family is from White Earth. Her great-grandmother was a Warren.

She has worked in law since she graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1992. She currently practices law with the Red Cliff and Meskwaki Nations.

As an Associate Judge, Tish had court caseloads in criminal, child welfare, domestic relations, small claims, traffic and child support. She works closely with local judiciary and other state agencies.

She is a subcommittee member of the National Child Support Enforcement Association, and has represented individuals and Tribes in the areas of environmental, employment and civil rights law. She has been co-council on federal cases, and outside co-council for Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe for specific environmental justice issues.

Tish instructed at the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College in the Native American Studies Department. She was also an Adjunct Instructor at Augsburg College. She has managed a caseload of students and parents as the Get Ready! Coordinator with the Higher Education Services Office of the State of Minnesota.

She holds a BA in Government and Politics, Graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park. Please welcome Tish to our Community.