Paulette Crone-Morange, one of the leaders of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation's successful federal recognition effort, died on Tuesday, The Hartford Courant reports. She was 60.

Crone-Morange is the sister of tribal chairman Richard Velky. He called her the "driving force" for the tribe's recognition.

Crone-Morange began researching the tribe's petition decades ago. The Bureau of Indian Affairs in January issued a final determination in favor of the tribe, reversing an earlier negative decision.

Get the Story:
Paulette Crone-Morange Dies; Native American Leader (The Hartford Courant 3/26)
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Relevant Documents:
Federal Register Notice | BIA Statement | Richard Blumenthal Statement | Rep. Shays Statement

Relevant Links:
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation - http://www.schaghticoke.com

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