About 450 people paid tribute to Laura Spurr, the late chairwoman of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan.

Spurr died on February 19 at the age of 64. She was hailed as a dedicated person who changed life around for her tribe.

"She demanded respect for her people but was unassuming in going about that," said Frank Ettawageshik, former Chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, The Battle Creek Enquirer reported. "Laura went out and changed the world and she came home and changed the world."

Spurr's biggest achievement was last fall's opening of the FireKeepers Casino. She spent 10 years pushing for approval of the project.

Get the Story:
Funeral is a celebration of Laura Spurr's life (The Battle Creek Enquirer 2/28)
Leader gave 'whatever it took' to support her tribe (The Detroit News 3/1)

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Laura Spurr, Nottawaseppi leader, passes on at 64 (2/22)