photo: Red Lake Nation News Meghan Brun

Jawnie Hough granted custody of Meghan Brun in Order for Protection limiting paternal visitation due to concerns father would flee with child.

Brun files for restraining order in Red Lake court against Hough without serving notice upon her.

Divorce order in Beltrami County district court reaffirms Jawnie Hough's custody of her daughter.

Red Lake Court grants Brun's OFP request, sends copy to Beltrami County district judge Paul Benshoof.

Donald Brun, Junior's parents pick up the child, Meghan Brun, for routine visit, take child to reservation and refuse to return her.

Donald Brun, Jr. petitions Red Lake Court for custody of daughter, claiming she wishes him to take custody. Fails to notify Meghan's mother, Jawnie Hough.

Ex parte hearing held in Red Lake for custody of Meghan.  Jawnie Hough not notified.

Red Lake court grants Donald Brun, Jr., and his arents sole custody of Meghan.

Jawnie Hough spots her daughter at Bemidji a barbershop, takes her home. Bruns report incident to Bemidji police.

Attorney Michael Ruffenach files motion for Brun under Beltrami County divorce file for enforcement of Red Lake Court custody ruling. No notice given to Jawnie Hough.

Judge Holter grants comity request in Hough's absence, orders law enforcement to return child to Bruns. Arrest warrant subsequently issued for Jawnie Hough on parental abduction charges.  She still has not been notified of proceedings.

Jawnie Hough arrested and her daughter seized at U of M hospital.

Illegal process, Red Lake tribal courts: State Legal System Fails a Young Mother and Daughter
Lawrence, Bill, Niiska, Clara. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Mar 16, 2001. Vol. 13, Iss. 17; p. 1

Tribal Injustice, State Courts: Jawnie Hough Custody Update
Lawrence, Bill, NiiSka, Clara. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Mar 30, 2001. Vol. 13, Iss. 19; p. 1

Press/ON celebrates thirteenth anniversary:
Bringing people news, challenging myths, and providing a public forum for open discussion of issues relevant to the community
Lawrence, Bill. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.:  May 25, 2001. Vol. 13, Iss. 27; p. 4

Jawnie Hough Update - Injustice: Red Lake tribal court, Beltrami County legal system
NiiSka, Clara. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Jun 1, 2001: Vol. 13, Iss. 28; p. 1

Jun 8, 2001

Jun 15, 2001
Jun 22, 2001

City Pages story, Mille Lacs tribal court brief, DPS Commissioner Weaver caves in to tribal pressure
Lawrence, Bill. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Jun 29, 2001. Vol. 13, Iss. 32; p. 4

No reservations
Lawrence, Bill. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Jul 27, 2001. Vol. 13, Iss. 35; p. 4

Small Legal Step to Regain Custody: Jawnie Hough Update
NiiSka, Clara. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Jul 27, 2001. Vol. 13, Iss. 35; p. 1

After lengthy search, Jawnie Hough obtains lawyer and files motion to vacate state court order enforcing tribal court ruling.

Mother challenges state enforcement of tribal court order: Order led to seizure of child, kidnapping charges
Armstrong, Jeff. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Aug 10, 2001. Vol. 13, Iss. 37; p. 1

State court denies Hough's motion.

Beltrami County judge upholds decision enforcing tribal court custody ruling against mother
Armstrong, Jeff. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Oct 12, 2001. Vol. 13, Iss. 46; p. 1

Judge asked to review court-assisted abduction ruling
Armstrong, Jeff. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Oct 26, 2001. Vol. 13, Iss. 48; p. 1

Mother asks court to amend previous motion: Seeks to regain custody previously granted by dissolution order
Pagano, Jean. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Dec 7, 2001. Vol. 14, Iss. 2; p. 1

Criminal charges dismissed against Hough.

State court finds Brun "perpetrated fraud upon the court" and orders Meghan's return to mother.

State district judge orders child returned to mother, says Red Lake Tribal Court violated constitutional rights
Armstrong, Jeff. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Mar 8, 2002. Vol. 14, Iss. 14; p. 1

Donald Brun's attorney, Michael Ruffenach, writes to Jawnie Hough's attorney, Frank Bibeau, informing him client refuses to comply with court order; writes to judge Holter asking for reconsideration.

Judge Holter denies Brun's motion as moot.

Ruffenach informs court of resignation as counsel for Brun.

Red Lake family refuses to comply with state court order to return child to mother
Armstrong, Jeff. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Mar 15, 2002. Vol. 14, Iss. 15; p. 1

Red Lake actions in child custody dispute may violate Violence Against Women Act
Armstrong, Jeff. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Mar 29, 2002. Vol. 14, Iss. 17; p. 1

JAWNIE HOUGH UPDATE:
Red Lake tribal council allegedly tries to rewrite federal law for state court
NiiSka, Clara. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Apr 26, 2002. Vol. 14, Iss. 21; p. 1

We need an independent court at Red Lake
Lawrence, Bill. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Apr 26, 2002. Vol. 14, Iss. 21; p. 4

Jawnie Hough update: Attorney Nichols tries to reassert jurisdiction of Red Lake Indian court in Minnesota court case
NiiSka, Clara. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: May 17, 2002. Vol. 14, Iss. 24; p. 1

State Courts & Tribal Courts Attorneys face off in Hough v. Brun
NiiSka, Clara. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: May 24, 2002. Vol. 14, Iss. 25; p. 1

[citing the legal abuses against Jawnie Hough as exemplifying some of the serious problems with tribal courts, especially at Red Lake]

May 31, 2002

Jun 21, 2002

Defiant Red Lake man asks judge to overturn custody order for lack of jurisdiction
Armstrong, Jeff. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Oct 4, 2002. Vol. 15, Iss. 18; p. 1

State court judge's orders to return child ignored by Donald Brun, Jr.
NiiSka, Clara.  The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Oct 4, 2002. Vol. 15, Iss. 18; p. 1

Nov 8, 2002

Tribal court orders and judgments may be unconstitutional in Minnesota
NiiSka, Clara.  The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Nov 8, 2002. Vol. 15, Iss. 23; p. 1

State appeals court to consider Red Lake parental kidnapping case
Armstrong, Jeff. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: May 23, 2003. Vol. 15, Iss. 50; p. 1

Court of Appeals hears Jawnie Hough's custody case
NiiSka, Clara. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Jul 11, 2003. Vol. 16, Iss. 4; p. 1

State district court rejects stay of Hough custody order
Armstrong, Jeff. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Aug 8, 2003. Vol. 16, Iss. 8; p. 1

Jawnie Kaye Hough, f/k/a Jawnie Kaye Brun, petitioner, Respondent  vs. Donald James Brun, Jr., Appellant.
Minnesota Court of Appeals, Case C3-03-318
Filed September 9, 2003

State appeals court rejects child custody jurisdiction challenged by Red Lake man
Armstrong, Jeff. The Native American Press/Ojibwe News
St. Paul, Minn.: Sep 12, 2003. Vol. 16, Iss. 13; p. 1