First American Indian appointed to Minn. Supreme Court
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Governor Dayton appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court its first American Indian justice on Tuesday, also tipping the court to a female majority.
Honorable Anne K. McKeig, a descendant of White Earth Nation, will replace Associate Justice Christopher J. Dietzen, who is set to retire in August.
“I thank Governor Dayton for the honor of continuing my service to the people of Minnesota as an Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court,” said Judge McKeig. “I am humbled by the opportunity to continue working to deliver justice for all Minnesotans in this important role.”
Judge McKeig served as a District Court Judge in the Fourth Judicial District since her appointment in 2008 by Governor Pawlenty, and is the current Presiding Judge in Family Court. She also worked as an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney in the Child Protection Division for over 16 years, where she specialized in Indian Child Welfare cases.
She is an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, a trainer for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, past chair and current board member of the Board of the Division of Indian Work, and a member of the Speakers Bureau for the National Child Protection Training Center.
She earned her B.S. from the College of St. Catherine and her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law.
Gov. Dayton statement
“Judge Anne McKeig has served the people of Minnesota admirably throughout her distinguished career, including as Presiding Judge of the Family Court in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District,” said Governor Dayton. “Judge McKeig has worked honorably to ensure justice for some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable people, with her strong dedication to Indian Child Welfare and her work leading the Fourth District Family Court. Judge McKeig will be a tremendous addition to the Minnesota Supreme Court. I trust that her commitment to justice, and her concern for the well-being of all Minnesotans will bring a unique and valuable perspective to the Court. I am confident Judge McKeig will continue the same exemplary commitment to fairness and excellence that Justice Dietzen has displayed throughout his distinguished career.”