The chief judge of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians will serve as the first tribal citizen on the state Court of Appeals. Allie Greenleaf Maldonado is a citizen of the tribe and a member of the Turtle Clan.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Maldonado’s appointment Tuesday at the State-Tribal Summit in Sault Ste. Marie. She replaces Judge Amy Ronayne Krause who will retire from the court on Dec. 13.
Maldonado said in an announcement that she is “humbled and “honored” to serve the court.
“This is a moment of importance not just for me, but for all of Indian Country,” Maldonado said. “The governor’s appointment sends a message about the critical work of tribal courts.”
Maldonado will serve a partial term starting on Jan. 9, 2023, and will serve for two years. She’ll need to run for election in November 2024 if she wants to finish out the term.
