Oneida Indian Nation Homelands (September 30, 2022) – Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter today released the following statement in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s appointment of Justice Mark Montour to the New York Appellate Division’s Fourth Judicial Department.
“The appointment of Justice Mark Montour to the New York Appellate Division’s Fourth Judicial Department is a historic appointment, and a testament to his reputation as a principled justice who believes deeply in fairness. Since he became the first Native American ever elected to a New York State court position and throughout his career, Justice Montour has worked tirelessly to unify communities, foster respect for tribal nations and forge harmonious relationships between State and tribal courts. By applying the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) principle of considering the impact of all decisions unto the Seventh Generation to his work, he has merged traditional customs with law to the benefit of all people – especially our state’s youth. Justice Montour is a tremendous role model for Native Americans and all New Yorkers. We congratulate Governor Hochul on her appointment of such a well-qualified and dedicated justice.”
Justice Montour, an enrolled member of the St. Regis Mohawk Indian Nation, has served as a New York State Supreme Court Justice and was elected to the position in 2013. Justice Montour was previously the acting Administrative Judge for the Eighth Judicial District and the Supervising Judge for Genesee and Wyoming County Town and Village Justice Courts. He is also the Chairman of the New York State Tribal Courts Committee, State facilitator for New York-Federal-State and Tribal Courts and Indian Nations Justice Forum, and a member of the Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics.
To view this statement online, click here.
About the Oneida Indian Nation
The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. A founding member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy), the Oneida Indian Nation sided with the Americans in the Revolutionary War and was thanked by Congress and President George Washington for its loyalty and assistance. Today, the Oneida Nation consists of about 1,000 enrolled Members, most of them living in Central New York.