Court Staff

ABOUT THE COURT STAFF

The Clerk's Office performs various jobs and duties for the Tribal Trial Court, Court of Appeals, the attorney bar, and the public. It is responsible for filing cases, briefs, motions, petitions, and other documents that are presented to the courts for decision. Once the decisions have been made, the staff is also responsible for disseminating the opinions, orders, and per curiam orders to the press, attorneys, trial court judges, and the public. The office provides information and guidance to judges, attorneys, and the public about appellate practice and the appellate process. The Court Administrator is the financial officer of the courts and the office provides payroll and other fiscal services for the personnel of the Court.

Meet the court staff

VACANT- Court Administrator

Joy Mauskemo - Clerk of Tribal Courts & Clerk of the Appellate Court

Joy R. Mauskemo is the Clerk of the Trial Court and the Clerk of the Appellate Court and assists the public in their endeavor to resolve issues through the Meskwaki Tribal Court’s dispute resolution forum. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services and in Psychology from Buena Vista University, and is currently earning a Master's Degree in Legal Studies from Washington University St. Louis School of Law.

Joy has an Advanced Tribal Court Clerk's Certification; is certified through the Department of Justice for the National Crime information Center (Tribal Access Program); and is certified by the Iowa Department of Corrections to teach the ACTV (Achieving Change Through Value-Based Behavior) program. She was recently appointed to serve a term on the Grievance Commission of the Supreme Court of Iowa.

Joy has worked for the Meskwaki Tribe for ten years, formerly with Child Support Services and the Settlement School.

Suzanne Buffalo- Senior Deputy Clerk of Court

Joy Mauskemo - Clerk of Tribal Courts & Clerk of the Appellate Court

Korinda Timberwolf- Assistant Deputy Clerk of Court

D. Suzanne (Wanatee) Buffalo is the Senior Deputy Clerk at Meskwaki Tribal Court. She has worked for Meskwaki Tribal Court and justice services beginning in 2007. She serves on the Grievance Commission of the Supreme Court of Iowa, initially appointed in 2015 and recently re-appointed for a second term. Suzanne has an Advanced Tribal Court Clerk’s Certification; is certified through the Department of Justice for the National Crime Information Center; and is certified by the Iowa Department of Corrections to teach the ACTV (Achieving Change Through Value-Based Behavior) program.

Suzanne received her Office Administration Certificate from the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe Adult Vocational Program in Las Vegas, Nevada, and previously worked in the field of advertising and public relations. Suzanne serves on the Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist’s Indian Advisory Council (since 2014), and has previously served on the Iowa Commission on Native American Affairs from 2013 to 2017. She has worked in a variety of roles for tribal government and tribal businesses in Iowa for twenty-five years.

Suzanne is an enrolled member of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa – Meskwaki Nation

Korinda Timberwolf- Assistant Deputy Clerk of Court

Korinda Timberwolf is the Assistant Deputy Clerk for Meskwaki Tribal Court and is an enrolled member of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa—Meskwaki Nation. She interned for Tribal Court during high school and made her way back to the department years later.

A recent addition to the Court, Kori brings to the department her cultural pride and a strong commitment to improve the lives of the people on the Meskwaki Indian Settlement.

Lyle Davenport- Records Management Clerk

Korinda Timberwolf- Assistant Deputy Clerk of Court

Lyle Davenport- Records Management Clerk

Lyle Davenport began his position as the Records Management Clerk at Meskwaki Tribal Court in early 2020. He has worked in a variety of roles with the tribal government and businesses, accumulating over 25 years of tribal workplace experience in human resources, finance, customer service and administrative positions, and has attained certification in supervisor training, law enforcement/employee background investigation & adjudication, and employee misconduct investigation.

Prior to working with the Meskwaki Tribal Court, Lyle was employed as a Human Resources Specialist with the Tribe, performing all human resources functions for the Court, law enforcement and other tribal departments.

Lyle is an enrolled member of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa – Meskwaki Nation