On Dec. 17, 2017, the new Forest County Potawatomi (FCP) Associate Judge Angela Moe was sworn in at 10 a.m. at the FCP Tribal Courtroom by FCP Chief Judge Eugene “Fugie” White-Fish. White-Fish spoke of how this position is to be held with great respect in the community. He says, “I know it can be difficult for people to not address Angela by her name but from now on, she should be addressed as Your Honor or Judge Moe because that’s the title she now holds. It’s not in honor of her as a person, but rather it is in respect for her position.”
Christian Daniels, FCP Associate Judge, gave a prayer before the swearing in proceeded. He also gave Moe some words of wisdom and encouragement since he has been in this position since 2014. He told Moe, “Some of the cases you will hear aren’t going to be easy. Our court primarily deals with families, and when you have to make those decisions, it’s going to weigh on you. Often times I think about that because I can’t just leave it here (at court) – even when I go home or to my prayer circles. I think about those people and I pray for them. It’s hard to not just leave that at work and go home because this is our community and we are trying to do our best for them. The family support you have here you’re going to need through these six years. My prayer for you is to nd that balance between being a judge and your everyday life because it’s a whole new step in your life now. I know you’re going to do your best as every judge does.”
Judge Moe will be in this role for a term that runs for the next six years. This is definitely not just a brief time to be in such a physically and emotionally demanding position. She will be in training for the next two years and will be receiving education for this position at The National Judicial College in Reno, Nev. She will learn in depth the FCP constitution, the rules of the court and the Indian Civil Rights Act. In time, it will all become second nature to her. She will learn everything she needs to know to enable her to be a judge of high standards and to help enforce the laws provided in these documents. After these two years, she will then slowly but surely start taking the bench along with Judge White-Fish and Judge Daniels and will gradually become adapted to her role in this judicial system.
Judge Moe could not be more excited and passionate about starting this new venture at this point in her life. As was said in her campaign letter: “This position in one of integrity, compassion and empathy. More importantly, it is about justice, protection, enacting our sovereignty, and upholding our Tribal Constitution.” Judge Moe has worked hard to get elected to this position and is looking forward to dealing with the challenges that she knows she will face in serving the role of associate judge. Moe stated,
“I want to thank everyone who supported me and who came out to vote! I am humbled to have been elected as your new FCP Associate Judge, and I hold this position with great honor and responsibility. Thank you to my whole family as well! I couldn’t have done it without any of you!”
PTT congratulates Judge Moe on her win and the best of luck in her new position!