Lena Landry, oldest member of Puyallup Tribe, passes at 91

Lena Landry, who was the oldest member of the Puyuallup Tribe of Washington, died on May 4. She was 91.

Landry outlived all 13 of her siblings, survived a bout with tuberculosis and battled prejudice in public schools and sexism in the workplace. She negotiated the tribe's land claim settlement and helped the tribe open its own school, medical clinic and dental clinic.

"She was a woman of few words, but very concise,” council member David Bean told The Tacoma Weekly. “Her words were few but powerful. Her hard work was an inspiration to us all.”

Landry, who was 10 when the tribe's roll was established in 1929, remained active in tribal affairs in her elderly years. She served as chair of the tribe's gaming advisory commission and the charity trust board.

Get the Story:
Puyallup Tribe mourns the passing of Lena Landry (The Tacoma Weekly 5/13)

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