CUJ News
Court appoints Sager new pro tem judge By the CUJ
MISSION – Kelly Sager is the newest associate pro tem judge in the Tribal Court of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Sager was appointed March 5 and sworn in March 13 by Chief Judge William Johnson in the CTUIR Tribal Court Chambers. One of the other two associate judges, Dave Gallaher, was on hand for the ceremony. The third associate judge is Doug Nash, who lives in Lapwai, Idaho. Sager will continue to serve as Tribal Court administrator, a position she was hired for three years ago. Judge Johnson, who has the authority by CTUIR resolution to appoint pro tem judges, named Sager with the consent of the other two judges. Sager will perform her judicial duties only in the absence of other judges. “She has the authority to act as any other judge,” Judge Johnson said. “She’s not a substitute teacher, but a substitute judge.” Sager could perform any function that any other judge does, but probably will
Kelly Sager, center, was sworn in as a Tribal Court associate pro tem judge March 13 by Chief Judge William Johnson, right. Associate Judge Dave Gallaher, left, was on hand for the ceremony. A second associate judge, Doug Nash, lives in Lapwai, Idaho.
deal with traffic and civil cases, perhaps setting bail amounts, signing release documents, presiding over video arraignments, etc., Judge Johnson said. Sager said the appointment was made to make sure there was court coverage in
the event a judge is not available. In addition to the tasks the Judge listed, Sager said she might be asked to sign search warrants or domestic abuse protection orders, as well. A 1989 graduate of Pilot Rock High
School, Sager earned an undergraduate degree in English in 1993 and then her law degree in 1997 from the University of Oregon. She worked as a public defender in 2000 for Montana Legal Services and returned to Pendleton in 2008 where she worked as executive director of Pioneer Relief Nursery. She clerked for Federal Magistrate Pat Sullivan from 2010-11 before she was hired by the CTUIR as the Tribes’ Child Support attorney. Judge Johnson speaks highly of Sager, who he hired to manage Court operations in 2017. “I saw the chance to get her to upgrade the administration and operation of the Court,” Judge Johnson said. “She’s an excellent worker, manager, and leader of the court system. Her work has led to Court improvements, full Court software, and up-to-date video, plus the hiring of all staff.” Sager is married to Mike Heriza, a fifth grade teacher at Sherwood Heights Elementary School in Pendleton. They have two children – daughter Sylvie, 16, and son Hank, 13. Sager is the daughter of Bonnie and Scott Sager of Pilot Rock.
Dakota Access Pipeline Continued from page 17A
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less incompetence,” Grijalva said in a statement. “As it turns out, critics of this pipeline and projects like it are right when they say the law requires the administration to take the concerns of tribes and other impacted communities seriously. When they don’t, the courts will hold them accountable.” Chairman Harold Frazier of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe said the court’s decision was a significant win for efforts to ensure treaties with Indian nations are honored. “The laws pertaining to the Great Sioux Nation have all too often been swept under the rug for American profits,” Frazier said in a statement. “We look forward to participating in the environmental impact statement so that we may demonstrate the real impact
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this project will have on our people and our planet.” Chase Iron Eyes, lead counsel for the Lakota People’s Law Project, said the ruling served as vindication for tribes and water protectors who opposed the pipeline. He said the pipeline, as well as the Keystone XL Pipeline and all new pipeline projects, should be shut down because of the horrible safety records of oil companies. But he also urged caution about the decision. “I’m encouraged, but it’s also important to remember that no matter the outcomes in the courts, we still run the risk of President Trump circumventing separation of powers and exceeding the scope of his authority when it comes to pipelines,” he said. Ducheneaux said Boasberg’s ruling now means that tribal concerns about the project must be heard. “We start back essentially from square one in terms of the tribes as least, ensuring that we have a meaningful seat at the table and there is meaningful consultation between the government and tribal governments,” she said. And she praised the efforts of the water protectors who protested construction of the pipeline in North Dakota, saying they succeeded in convincing former President Barack Obama to reject a key permit for the project and gave the tribal plaintiffs seeking to stop the pipeline time to gather experts to offer testimony to the court. “It’s really a culmination of all the efforts of the grassroots people and the lawyers,” she said. “It’s really beautiful.”
April 2020