PABLO, Mont. - Chief Judge of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Court, Winona Tanner passed away Friday.
A release from CSKT says Tanner began working at Tribal Legal Services in 1983 and worked at the Tribal Prosecutors Office and Tribal Defenders Office. She was a tribal employee for almost 40 years.
Tanner became chief judge in 2004 after her predecessor, Louise Burke, encouraged her to step up in the leadership role.
"Everyone who ever worked with Winona behind the bench or appeared before her will miss her dedication, care and deep understanding of our community,â said CSKT Chairwoman Shelly R. Fyant. âWe lowered our flags in her honor. Sheâs among the Evelyn Stevensonâs and Louise Burkeâs as builders of our court system.â