Henry Buffalo Named Chief Judge

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June 28, 2021

Judge Henry M. Buffalo has been named Chief Judge and now presides over the Red Cliff Court after the departure of Steve Boulley. Judge Buffalo is a Red Cliff Tribal Member and a descendant of the Tribe’s hereditary chief.

Judge Buffalo has a distinguished legal career and has played an instrumental role in establishing the Tribal Court. Judge Buffalo served as an internal tribal counsel for Red Cliff prior to entering private legal practice. He served as a counsel for the Fond du Lac Band, where he also affirmed the Band’s 1837 and 1854 ceded territory rights.

“On behalf of the Red Cliff Tribal Council, we are honored to have Judge Henry Buffalo Jr. take on the interim role of Chief Judge for the Red Cliff Tribal Court,” said Chairman Rick Peterson. “Henry is a Red Cliff tribal member and has vast experience as both an Indian law attorney and tribal judge. We welcome Judge Buffalo and say miigwech for doing so.”

Judge Buffalo served as the first executive administrator of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) and is an active legal representative across Indian country. He received his JD law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1981 and has a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from UW Milwaukee.

Chii Miigwech and welcome to Chief Judge Henry M. Buffalo.

The Red Cliff Tribal Court is vested with jurisdiction over the Red Cliff Code of Laws and is the established justice system for the Red Cliff Tribe. The Tribal Court can be comprised of a Chief Judge, two Associate Judges, a Reserve Judge, and Magistrates as appointed by the Red Cliff Tribal Council.

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