Jennifer Cross, JD, MTAG
Chair
Tribal Affiliation:
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe-Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Marten Clan
Biography:
Jennifer has served on the Board of Trustees since 2017. Currently, she is serving as a PL 280 Program Analyst for the Tribal Justice Support, Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Judicial Support. Some of her previous legal experience included serving as an attorney with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Cass Lake, Minnesota, and as In-House Legal Counsel with the Three Affiliated Tribes, New Town, North Dakota. Jennifer’s professional career has largely focused on Federal Indian Law, child protection issues, and the Indian Child Welfare Act. Past positions include: Urban Lead Case Manager for Indian Child Welfare Act cases, a Legal Assistant and Administrative Manager, and as an Associate Judge.
Jennifer received her Associate of Arts from Fergus Falls Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota, and a Master’s Degree in Tribal Administration and Governance from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Jennifer also earned her Juris Doctorate and Indian Law Certificate from the University of North Dakota School of Law, and is currently licensed to practice law in the following jurisdictions: the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, the state of Minnesota, and the District of North Dakota. In 2013, Jennifer was selected for the Bush Foundation’s Native Nations’ Rebuilder-Cohort 5, and participated in the first cohort of the Network Weaver Program with the Tiwahe Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Degrees:
Jennifer received her Associate of Arts from Fergus Falls Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota. In 2016, she obtained a Master in Tribal Administration and Governance from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Jennifer also earned her Juris Doctorate and Indian Law Certificate from the University of North Dakota School of Law and is currently licensed to practice law in the following jurisdictions: the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, the state of Minnesota, and the District of North Dakota.
Experience:
In 2013, Jennifer was selected for the Bush Foundation’s Native Nations’ Rebuilder-Cohort 5, and participated in the first cohort of the Network Weaver Program with the Tiwahe Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
