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
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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.
Court of Appeals Terms
Active Staff
Abby Dupuis, Administrator
Kelly McDonald, Chief Justice
Danny Tenenbaum, Associate Attorney Justice
James Taylor, Attorney Associate Justice
Gregory Dupuis, Tribal Member Associate Justice
Robert McDonald, Tribal Member Associate Justice
Court Administrator:
- Abby Dupuis 9/7/2010 – 09/21/2028
- D. Renee Pierre 4/3/2009 – 9/7/2010
- Abby Dupuis 6/27/1995 – 4/3/2009
Chief Justice:
- Kelly McDonald – 10/03/2023 to 10/02/2027
- Daniel Belcourt – 03/24/2022 to 07/31/2022
- Thor Hoyte (Acting) – 11/18/2021 to 03/23/2022
- Eldena Bear Don’t Walk – 08/01/2011 to 11/06/2021
- Cher Desjarlais Stewart – 09/04/2008 to 07/31/2011
- Wilmer Windham (Acting) – 03/20/2008 to 09/04/2008
- William Joseph Moran – 02/13/2003 to 03/19/2008
- Patrick Smith – 01/09/1997 to 10/22/2002
- Robert Peregoy – 06/27/1995 to 05/09/1996
Attorney Associate Justices:
- James Taylor – 10/01/2022 to 09/30/2025
- Danny Tenenbaum – 01/12/2021 to 01/11/2027
- Thor Hoyte – 04/01/2016 to 05/10/2022
- Joshua Morigeau – 12/19/2017 to 04/02/2020
- Brenda Desmond – 01/28/1997 to 07/01/2003
- Cynthia Ford – 01/28/1997 to 06/27/2000
- Michael Eakin – 09/21/2000 to 11/07/2003
- Wilmer Windham – 07/01/2003 to 09/30/2009
- Daniel Belcourt – 10/01/2010 to 03/01/2013
- Chuck Wall – 01/07/2003 to 11/24/2009
- Eldena Bear Don’t Walk – 12/01/2009 to 07/31/2011
- Joey Jayne – 11/01/2011 to 10/31/2014
- Kenneth Pitt – 03/01/2013 to 02/29/2016
- Marjorie Brown – 06/27/1995 to 07/09/1996
- Jim Wheelis – 06/27/1995 to 05/09/1996
Tribal Member Associate Justices:
- Gregory Dupuis – 11/12/2020 to 11/11/2026 | 02/19/1999 to 02/22/2018
- Robert McDonald – 01/12/2010 to 11/11/2026
- Rhonda Whiting – 02/22/2018 to 08/28/2020
- David Morigeau – 08/29/2017 to 11/30/2017
- Clayton Matt – 02/18/1999 to 01/11/2010
- Margaret Hall – 06/27/1995 to 02/18/1999
- Robert Gauthier – 06/27/1995 to 02/18/1999