Members of the White Earth Reservation Tribal Council wrap new Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Anne K. McKeig in a Pendleton Blanket at the closing of her investiture ceremony at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium on the campus of St. Catherine University in St. Paul on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. The blanket is given by the tribe to a member who has reached the peak of their profession. As the 94th Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, McKeig is the first Native American judge to rise to the Minnesota Supreme Court and the first female Native American to serve on any state's high court. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

Notorious for her sense of humor, McKeig makes a face as she waves to a supporter in the crowd as her family robes her during her investiture ceremony. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

McKeig laughs as her friend Noya Woodrich recounts a story about McKeig's Spanish language abilities. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

McKeig shakes Gov. Mark Dayton's hand as she is introduced during her investiture ceremony. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

Surrounded by her family and with her daughter Tayana Osuna holding the Bible, new Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Anne K. McKeig is sworn in by Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)



McKeig gives a thumbs up after making a point as she speaks during her investiture ceremony. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Anne K. McKeig gives Chief Justice Lorie Gildea a hug after being sworn in at her investiture ceremony at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium on the campus of St. Catherine University in St. Paul on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

As the 94th Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Anne K. McKeig is the first Native American judge to rise to the Minnesota Supreme Court and the first female Native American to serve on any state’s high court.

McKeig was sworn in during a public investiture ceremony Thursday at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium on the campus of St. Catherine University in St. Paul.

Gov. Mark Dayton appointed McKeig to the Supreme Court in June to replace retiring Associate Justice Christopher J. Dietzen.

Students from Northland High School in Remer, Justice McKeig’s former high school, performed a drum circle and the White Earth Color Guard posted colors.

“To Governor Dayton, Chi Miigwetch for having faith in a young woman from Federal Dam, born, raised and Minnesota educated,” McKeig said in her remarks. “You have made history in allowing me to be the first Native American woman appointed to the State’s highest court — in all of the United States. I am prepared with the love and support of my community to demonstrate that your decision was one of great vision and wisdom not because you chose me but because you appreciate the role that native nations have played in the history of our great state. By this appointment you have built an historic bridge.”

A nationally known speaker on Indian child welfare issues, McKeig was first appointed to the 4th Judicial District in 2008 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Catherine University and her law degree from Hamline University School of Law. She currently is an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.