Ralph Sturges, the longtime chief of the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, was named Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.
Sturges, 86, was recognized for his commitment to the tribe. He was a leader of the tribe's successful bid for federal recognition, which led to the opening of a large casino.
Sturges' role as chief is mostly ceremonial but he is seen as a key tribal adviser. According to The Norwich Bulletin, he supports efforts by Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) to strengthen regulation of Indian gaming.
"Gaming for the Indians has been a good thing, but things are getting out of hand," Sturges said, the paper reported. "They should do it the way it was originally meant to be: ...honest and aboveboard."
Get the Story:
A Commitment To Culture
(The New London Day 4/14)
pwday
'He's a hero of mine' (The Norwich Bulletin 4/14)
Chief of Mohegan Tribe named Citizen of the Year
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Trending in News
1 Tribes rush to respond to new coronavirus emergency created by Trump administration
2 'At this rate the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed
3 Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings'
4 Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage
5 Cayuga Nation's division leads to a 'human rights catastrophe'
2 'At this rate the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed
3 Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings'
4 Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage
5 Cayuga Nation's division leads to a 'human rights catastrophe'