JoAnne has presented to various communities on the way of life and culture of the Odawa. She believes tradition and culture is vital to the Anishinaabe way of life and has continued her learning about the 3 Fires people. She has begun consulting with native and nonnative communities who are either developing Peacemaking or a Healing to Wellness Court. The alternative courts utilize tradition and culture which allows for healing and restoring balance for those involved. JoAnne was involved in the organization and development of two alternative courts: Peacemaking and Healing to Wellness Court (Drug Court). She received her Business Administration degree from Ferris State University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin School of Law. JoAnne currently serves on the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa/Chippewa Indians Appellate Court as Chief Appellate Judge. Her previous professional experience includes one term on Tribal Council (2012-2016) and with Tribal Courts as a Tribal Court Judge for two tribal communities (1994-2011). JoAnne Cook, a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa/Chippewa Indians, is from Peshawbestown, Michigan. Below are brief biographies of the current Chief and Associate Judges. Tribal Court’s jurisdiction is based upon the Tribe’s inherent sovereignty, traditional custom, and federal law. The chief judge and associate judge preside over all civil and criminal cases in Tribal Court arising under the tribal constitution, statutes, regulations, or judicial decisions of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. All the Judges of the Tribal Court and Tribal Appellate Court combined make up the Judiciary. The judicial power of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians is vested in a tribal court system composed of a court of general jurisdiction, called the Tribal Court, and an appellate court, called the Tribal Appellate Court. Odawa Economic Affairs Holding CorporationĬourt of General Jurisdiction (Tribal Court).Nitaazhitoojik Industrial Training (NIT) Program.Tribal Code-Current Statutes/Resolutions.

Tribal Chairperson & Tribal Vice Chairperson.

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