About Us

Vision Statement:

The Vision of the WTJA is to promote and dispense equal justice to all people within its jurisdiction through education/training, while embracing its constitutions, laws, traditions, and culture to restore harmony, respect and peace for the next seven generations.

Mission Statement:

The Wisconsin Tribal Judges' Association, Inc. exists as a voice of equal justice for all and is dedicated to the protection of tribal sovereignty through judicial education, cooperation, collaboration and respectful communication while embracing tribal traditions, customs and values.

WTJA By-Laws as amended on April 21, 2023 
assets/pages/WTJABy-LawsAmended 4-21-23 (2).pdf

Current and Past WTJA Board of Directors (under construction)

2023 to 2025

• President, Gwendolyn Topping, Associate Judge, Red Cliff Tribal Court
• Vice-President, Garold Smith, Chief Judge, Lac Du Flambeau
• Secretary/Treasurer, Patricia Ninham Hoeft, Trial Court Judge, Oneida Nation
• At-Large Member, Michelle Greendeer-Rave, Trial Court Judge, Ho-Chunk Nation 

2021 to 2023

• President, Gwendolyn Topping, Associate Judge, Red Cliff Tribal Court
• Vice-President, Garold Smith, Chief Judge, Lac Du Flambeau
• Secretary/Treasurer, Patricia Ninham Hoeft, Trial Judge, Oneida Nation
• At-Large Member, Christian Daniels, Forest County Potawotomi

2019 to 2021

• President, Gwendolyn Topping, Associate Judge, Red Cliff Tribal Court
• Vice-President, Garold Smith, Chief Judge, Lac Du Flambeu
• Secretary/Treasurer, Shannon Cobe, Associate Judge, Lac Du Flambeau, 4/24/20; Stephan M. Tourtillott-Grochowski, Chief Justice, Menominee Nation; John E. Powless, III, Trial Judge, Oneida Nation
• At-Large Member, unable to identify holder of this position

2017 to 2019

• President, Eugene White Fish, Chief Judge, Forest County Potawotomi
• Vice-President, Garold Smith, Chief Judge, Lac Du Flambeau
• Secretary/Treasurer, Gwendolyn Topping, Associate Judge, Red Cliff Tribal Court
• At-Large Member, John E. Powless, III, Trial Judge, Oneida Nation

2015 to 2017

• President, Eugene White Fish, Chief Judge, Forest County Potawotomi
• Vice-President, Garold Smith, Chief Judge, Lac Du Flambeu
• Secretary/Treasurer, John E. Powless, III, Trial Judge, Oneida Nation
• At-Large Member, Marianne Higgins, Chief Judge, Stockbridge-Munsee

2013 to 2015

• President, Amanda L. Rockman, Associate Judge, Ho-Chunk Nation
• Vice-President, Eugene White Fish, Chief Judge, Forest County Potawotomi
• Secretary/Treasurer, Jean Webster, Appeals Commission, Oneida Nation
• At-Large Member, Garold Smith, Chief Judge, Lac Du Flambeau

2011 to 2013

• President, Amanda L. Rockman, Associate Judge, Ho-Chunk Nation
• Vice-President, Eugene White Fish, Chief Judge, Forest County Potawotomi
• Secretary/Treasurer, Crystal Wiggins, Chief Judge, St. Croix
• At-Large Member, Garold Smith, Chief Judge, Lac Du Flambeau

2009 to 2011

• President, Leland Wigg-Ninham, Appeals Commission, Oneida Nation
• Vice-President. Todd Matha, Ho-Chunk Nation
• Secretary/Treasurer, vacant
• At-Large Member, Stephan Grochowoski, Chief Justice, Menominee Nation

2007 to 2009

• President, Leland Wigg-Ninham, Oneida Nation
• Vice-President, Todd Matha, Ho-Chunk Nation
• Secretary/Treasurer, 
• At-Large Member

2005 to 2007

• President, Leland Wigg-Ninham, Oneida Nation
• Vice-President, Richard Ackely, Bad River
• Secretary/Treasurer. Alice Soulier, Lac Du Flambeau
• At-Large Member, Todd Matha, Ho-Chunk Nation

2003 to 2005

• President, David Raasch, Mohican Band, Stockbridge-Munsee
• Vice-President, Leland Wigg-Ninham, Oneida Nation
• Secretary/Treasurer, Alice Soulier, Lac Du Flambeau
• At-Large Member, Todd Matha, Ho-Chunk Nation

2001 to 2003

• President, David Raasch, Mohican Band, Stockbridge-Munsee
• Vice-President, Mark Butterfield, Ho-Chunk Nation
• Secretary/Treasurer, Alice Soulier, Lac Du Flambeau
• At-Large Member, Sheila Corbine, Lac Courte Oreilles

1999 to 2001

1997 to 1999

1995 to 1997

1993 to 1995

1991 to 1993