The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized Indian tribe.  The Community adopted a Constitution on November 28, 1969 and By-Laws on April 11, 1970.  Through its inherent powers, the Community created the Tribal Court, which has original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide all controversies arising out of the laws of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

JUDGES

Chief Judge Henry M. Buffalo

has served as a Judge on the Tribal Court since 1988.  He is a citizen of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.  Chief Judge Buffalo graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee School of Social Welfare and the University of Wisconsin – Madison Law School.

Judge Vanya S. Hogen

has served as a Judge on the Tribal Court since 2007.  She is a citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.  Judge Hogen graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts and the University of Minnesota Law School.

Judge Leah R. Sixkiller

has served as a Judge on the Tribal Court since 2021.  She is a citizen of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.  Judge Sixkiller graduated from Harvard College and the University of Arizona College of Law.

Office and court staff

The Tribal Court is located in the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Building

2330 Sioux Trail NW, Prior Lake, MN 55372
Main phone: 952.233.4245
Fax: 952.233.4259

Clerk of Court
Melissa Hintz
melissa@smsccourt.org
Direct phone 952.233.4246

Assistant Clerk of Court
Sandy Gross
sandy@smsccourt.org

Clerks of the Tribal Court are notaries.