First Native American Woman Takes Seat On Minn. Supreme Court

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Anne McKeig has taken her spot on the Minnesota Supreme Court, becoming the first American Indian judge on the state's highest court.

McKeig was sworn in during a ceremony Thursday at St. Catherine University in St. Paul where she earned her bachelor's degree.

A descendant of White Earth Nation, McKeig has served as a Hennepin County District Judge since 2008, including serving as presiding judge of its family court.

Gov. Mark Dayton appointed McKeig to the Supreme Court in June to replace retiring Associate Justice Christopher Dietzen. The Supreme Court will have a female majority for the first time since the administration of former Gov. Rudy Perpich in the early 1990's. It also means Dayton has appointed a majority of the justices.