The National Native American Bar Association applauds the historic confirmation of Diane Humetewa to be a district court judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Ms. Humetewa, an enrolled member of the Hopi Tribe, is the first Native American woman in the history of our nation to serve on the federal judiciary, and will be the only American Indian serving as an Article III judge in the federal judiciary. Ms. Humetewa was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.
Ms. Humetewa has had a distinguished career in public service. She previously served as the Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. Earlier in her career, she worked as an attorney on the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee under then Chairman John McCain. Ms. Humetewa also worked in the U.S. Department of Justice and served as an Appellate Judge on the Hopi Appellate Court.
NNNABA applauds President Obama and Senator McCain for their support for Ms. Humetewa’s ascension to the federal bench in Arizona. “Ms. Humetewa’s exceptional career, including her former role as U.S. Attorney, will serve her well as the first female Native American ever appointed to the federal judiciary and the only American Indian in the federal judiciary,” said Mary Smith, NNABA President.
Turtle Talk 