The Court of Appeals was established by the Tribal Council to hear and decide appeals on the law taken from judgments, orders or rulings of the Tribal Court in accordance with CSKT Laws Codified 103-A. On June 27, 1995, the Tribal Council separated the Court of Appeals from the Tribal Court and established a five-member Appellate Justice panel. The Appellate Court is comprised of one Chief Justice, two Attorney Associate Justices, and two Tribal Member Lay Associate Justices. The Chief Justice is appointed to serve a four-year term, and the Associate Justices are appointed to serve a three-year term.
Court Administrator: Abigail Dupuis
Phone: (406) 675-2700 ext. 1032
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 278, Pablo, MT 59855
Physical Address: 51396 Highway 93 North, Pablo, MT 59855
Our Work
Each panel to hear a case is comprised of two attorney justices and one tribal member lay justice, unless a rehearing en banc is granted. In that case, it is re-heard before the panel of all five justices. The types of cases that come before the Court of Appeals vary, including child custody, divorces, civil, criminal, probate, juvenile, and small claims.
The Appellate Court convenes in its regular sessions the second week of February, April, June, and October.
It may hold special sessions if necessary.
Court Forms & Filings
The Chief Justice must be an attorney at law.
William Joseph “Joe” Moran served as Chief Justice of the Appellate Court from 2003-2008. Justice Moran was the first CSKT tribal member to serve as Appellate Court Chief Justice. In his honor, Tribal Council named the Appellate Courtroom the WILLIAM JOSEPH MORAN APPELLATE COURTROOM.
Appellate Court Staffing and terms consist of the following:
Court Administrator:
- Abby Dupuis 9/7/2010 – 06/07/2022
- D. Renee Pierre 4/3/2009 – 9/7/2010
- Abby Dupuis 6/27/1995 – 4/3/2009
Chief Justices (Past & Present):
- Daniel Belcourt – 03/24/2022 – present
- Thor Hoyte – Acting from 11/18/2021 through 03/24/2022
- Eldena Bear Don’t Walk 08/01/11 – appointment terminated 11/06/21
- Cher Desjarlais Stewart 09/04/2008 – 7/31/2011
- Wilmer Windham (Acting Chief Justice) – 03/20/2008 – 9/04/2008
- William Joseph Moran 02/13/2003 – March 2008
- Pat Smith 01/09/1997 – 10/22/2002
- Robert Peregoy 06/27/1995 – 05/09/1996
Active Associate Justices:
- Thor Hoyte 04/01/2016 – 05/10/2022
- Joshua Morigeau April 2, 2020
- Daniel Tenenbaum was appointed on 01/12/2021 to present
Tribal Member Lay Associate Justices (Past & Present):
- Robert McDonald August 28, 2020
- Rhonda Whiting – 02/22/2018 through 08/28/2020
- David Morigeau 08/29/17 – 11/30/17
- Gregory Dupuis appointed 11/12/2020 to present
- Clayton Matt 02/18/1999 – 01/11/2010
- Margaret Hall 06/27/1995 – 02/18/1999
- Robert Gauthier 06/27/1995 – 02/18/1999
Past Attorney Associate Justices:
- Jim Wheelis 06/27/1995 – 05/09/1996
- Marjorie Brown 06/27/1995 – 07/09/1996
- Brenda Desmond 01/28/1997 – 07/01/2003
- Cynthia Ford 01/28/1997 – 06/27/2000
- Michael Eakin 09/21/2000 – 11/07/2003
- Wilmer Windham 07/01/2003 – 09/30/2009
- Chuck Wall 11/07/2003 – 11/24/2009
- Eldena Bear Don’t Walk – 12/01/2009 – 07/31/2011
- Daniel Belcourt appointed as Chief Justice on 03/24/2022 to present
- Joey Jayne 11/01/11 – 10/31/2014
- Kenneth Pitt 03/01/2013 – 02/29/2016
- Thor Hoyte – 04/01/2016 – 05/10/2022