Leroy Not Afraid is the first member of the Crow Tribe to serve as justice of the peace in Big Horn County, Montana. Not Afraid, 36, wasn't planning on running. But he joined a group of other tribal members who sought seats in county government and ended up defeating the incumbent justice by 25 votes. "The Crow people, the Northern Cheyenne people, just to put it plainly the people with brown skin, needed a voice in the courthouse," he tells The Billings Gazette. Not Afraid now spends his days hearing misdemeanor criminal cases, presiding over wedding and holding other civil proceedings. When Indian children come into court, he usually meets with the family afterwards to talk about traditional culture. Other Crow tribal members who hold elected seats in the county include Sheriff Lawrence "Pete" Big Hair and County Attorney Georgette Hogan. Get the Story:
Not Afraid is county's first Crow Indian justice of the peace (The Billings Gazette 9/10)
New judge enjoys thrill of campaign (The Billings Gazette 9/10)
