Justice Jude Pate tells AFN he knows of no Alaska Native state judge since Roy Madsen

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate told Alaska Federation of Natives delegates this week that, to his knowledge, no Alaska Native has served as a state judge since Roy Madsen, whom he described as a Kodiak Superior Court judge about 50 years ago.

"We don't hear your voice speaking on the Supreme Court," Pate said. He named Madsen and, before him, district court judge Nora Guinn. Since then, "there hasn't been, that I'm aware of, an Alaska Native judge," he said.

The court system's own records confirm the two firsts he named. Guinn became the state's first Alaska Native judge in 1968, in Bethel, according to Alaska Court System history materials. Madsen served in Kodiak from 1975 until he retired in 1990, according to the Congressional Record.

Pate tied the gap to the supply of lawyers. "We don't have a law school," he said. "We need more Alaska Native lawyers." He said Alaska lives in a legal desert, without enough lawyers to meet the need in rural villages, and that the court system is working with Alaska Legal Services on community justice workers, trained non-attorneys who can provide basic services.

He described other steps the court system has taken. In joint jurisdiction therapeutic courts, a tribal judge and a state judge sit together; Pate said he has sat on one in Kenai. About three years ago, tribal and state judges in Southeast began meeting for dinner every six months. Pate said the next one is next week on Prince of Wales Island, hosted by the tribe.

Pate also described programs meant to develop Alaska Native lawyers and judges. He helps run the Color of Justice program at Mount Edgecumbe in Sitka, a two-and-a-half-day session for high school students. Pate said former Mount Edgecumbe participants have gone through law school and now return as lawyers to present to new students.

His Juneau chambers also runs a 10-week remote externship for undergraduates, with credit through the University of Alaska system. Pate named two alumni. Sarah Byoff of Nome is now in law school at Seattle University, with plans to work in her community. Martin Carmen of Anchorage studies at American University and is interning with Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

"I want them standing in my shoes in the next few years," Pate said. "I want them speaking to you as a Supreme Court Justice."

Pate himself is among 21 judges eligible for retention this year, according to the Alaska Judicial Council. In a retention election, voters approve or reject each judge on the ballot. He reminded delegates that many state judges will be on the ballot in a few weeks.

"We plant seeds," Pate said. "It takes a long time." He said the results could take a decade, maybe 20 years.