OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington State Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis, a tribal citizen of the Pueblo of Isleta of New Mexico, is running to retain her seat on the state’s highest court in the general election on Nov. 3.
Appointed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Montoya-Lewis was sworn in on January 6, 2020 and must run in the election to retain her seat for a full-term. The other candidate running for the seat is Dave Larson, who has served as a judge on the Federal Way (Wash.) Municipal Court for more than a decade.
Montoya-Lewis is only the second American Indian to serve on a state Supreme Court in the country. Prior to her selection by Inslee, Montoya-Lewis served five years on the Whatcom County Superior Court.
Montoya-Lewis is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and the University of Washington School of Law and the Graduate School of Social Work. She lives with her family in Olympia, having recently relocated after living in Bellingham for 17 years.
Justice Montoya-Lewis has earned an extensive list of endorsements, including each of her colleagues on the Washington State Supreme Court, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and Spokane Tribe of Indians, as well as Indigenous leaders across Washington state.
“Representation matters. Having a voice at the table – and on the bench – for Native American communities, and other underrepresented communities, will ensure a thoughtful review of the issues at hand, now and in the future,” Justice Montoya-Lewis said. “Much of my work has centered on equity, implicit bias, and cultural identity. I will continue to bring those lenses to our work on the Supreme Court as we seek to ensure fair and just outcomes for all Washingtonians.”
Tribes and Indigenous leaders in Washington are lining up to support Justice Montoya-Lewis.
The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation issued an endorsement statement, saying that Justice Montoya-Lewis “has the legal mind and acumen needed for the job, but more importantly she has the heart and compassion that our society needs from state judges.”
Spokane Tribe of Indians Chairwoman Carol Evans said that Justice Montoya-Lewis “represents equality and justice for all” and calls her “a strong advocate for our youth.” The Spokane Tribe, in its endorsement of Justice Montoya-Lewis, cited her local and national work in juvenile justice as proof of her “comprehensive understanding of issues affecting Indigenous peoples.”
“Tribes have fought for years to get American Indians appointed and elected to the judicial system, from local to state to federal levels. Indian Country must fully support Justice Montoya-Lewis to stay on the Washington State Supreme Court. It is an opportunity we must win,” says Jamestown S’Klallam Chairman and CEO W. Ron Allen.
According to Seattle City Councilwoman Debora Juarez, who was Washington state’s first Native American Superior Court judge: “Indigenous women are the North Star in our tribal communities. Justice Montoya-Lewis’ power and presence on our state's highest court cannot be understated or denied. She is now the North Star that all Washingtonians—especially our women and daughters—can gaze up at in search of justice and hope.”
Justice Montoya-Lewis, who has also served as Chief Judge for the Lummi, Nooksack, and Upper Skagit Indian Tribes, is an unyielding advocate for communities systemically marginalized by the criminal justice system. She has led training addressing implicit bias across the state and has centered racial inequality as a fundamental part of her daily work. She is a strong advocate for making courts more accessible to all communities.
“Justice must be accessible to those who have to or wish to seek it,” said Montoya-Lewis. “This is a significant priority to me as a judge who has seen firsthand how inaccessible the legal system is to so many. It is my goal to ensure there are open channels to justice that are not impeded by cost.”
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Red Hoop Talk: Native Stories, Real Conversations
NEXT ON NATIVE BIDASKÉ: The Tribe Said No - Her Own People Refused Her
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
