 Justice Ann K. McKeague, the first American Indian to serve the state of Minnesota as a Supreme Court Justice, is a recipient of Bemidji State University's 35th Distinguished Minnesotan Award. First presented by Bemidji State in 1981, the Distinguished Minnesotan Award acknowledges the contributions of current or former residents of the state who have performed exemplary service to the people of Minnesota or the United States. McKeague is a member of the White Earth Nation and was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court by Governor Mark Dayton on September 1st of 2016. The Distinguished Minnesotan traditionally delivers Bemidji State's commencement address. The university's 98th commencement ceremony will be held May 5th at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.