On Friday, October 2nd, 2020, Governor Tim Walz announced the appointment of Terri Yellowhammer as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. Her seat will be chambered in Minneapolis. MAIBA would like to congratulate Terri on her appointment!
Ms. Yellowhammer’s appointment will fill a vacancy that occurred upon the retirement of Judge Fred Karasov.
“I am proud to appoint Ms. Yellowhammer. She is a tireless public servant, having spent her career fighting systemic inequities,” said Governor Walz. “Her experience as a tribal judge and her steadfast focus on increasing collaboration between underrepresented communities and the criminal justice system will give her a unique perspective in her new role.”
“Ms. Yellowhammer has the experience and heart that will serve the bench well,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Her work as a tribal court judge and as an advocate for Native children and families brings a much needed perspective to the 4th judicial circuit. I’m thrilled by her appointment.”
About Terri Yellowhammer
Ms. Yellowhammer is the American Indian Community Relations Development Manager for Hennepin County. In this role, she guides the county on effective partnering with tribal communities in the twin cities and on reservations in Minnesota on a range of issues, including the overrepresentation of American Indian children in the child protection system. Previously, she represented indigent clients in adult and juvenile child protection cases at the Indian Child Welfare Law Center, was a White Earth Nation Tribal Court Judge, and was a Minnesota Assistant Attorney General. Ms. Yellowhammer has been involved in outreach for Proof Alliance, which helps treat and prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. She serves on the Hennepin Healthcare Community Advisory Board, which serves as a catalyst for relationship building and partnering with community organizations. Ms. Yellowhammer also serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Crittenton Foundation, which advocates for systemic justice with and for girls, young women, and gender-expansive young people impacted by chronic adversity, violence, and oppression. She is a former board chair of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center and was a member of a cohort of volunteers who held babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome at Minneapolis Children’s Hospital.
Ms. Yellowhammer earned her B.A. from the College of St. Catherine and her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.