Former Heitkamp intern is new CRST judge

Danielle Ta’Sheena Finn graduated from the Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and is the 2016 Miss Indian World.

Before attending law school, Finn served as an intern for U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), the first Native American Indian to do so. During law school Finn practiced law pro bono, advocated for voters’ rights, and worked on family law and human rights issues. Finn will continue to work full-time as the external affairs coordinator for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, but plans to work one or two days presiding over Healing to Wellness Court cases. “I really believe in this program. The criminal court system is really bogged down. Try our program out. If you get into a bind with substance abuse and alcohol-related charges, we are here for you,” Finn said. [West River Eagle]

Elsie DuBray, another Cheyenne River Sioux tribal member, is headed to Stanford University to research the effects of modern American diets on heart disease and Indian Country’s diabetes epidemic.