Tears Flow As Supreme Court Appointee Recalls Her Native American Heritage
922 views · Published 28 June 2016 · 5:21 · Indexed 21 September 2026
Channel: The Uptake by Bridgemakers · 2016 · News & Politics
Tears welled up in Judge Anne McKeig's eyes as she recalled the swearing-in of Robert A. Blaser, the first American Indian district court judge in 1995. "I didn't know him, but he was a White Earth member. And I, a proud descendent of the White Earth nation, knew that if he could do it that maybe I could. And it is people like him who take the time to mentor a young girl from Federal Dam, Minnesota... and you're going to hear me say that a thousand times, because it is Federal Dam, Minnesota population 110. Two bars. A few stop signs. A lot of fishermen. But is people like him and his wife who have led the way that have allowed for others like me to dare to dream." Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton had just appointed McKeig to Minnesota's Supreme Court. "So today is a historic day not only for myself, and for my family but for all native people. It underscores the importance of one person leading so that another can follow." "Now I've messed up my makeup." "I'm forever grateful to Judge Blazer who not only became my mentor, but lucky for me he became my friend."
