Eugene Culbertson, a longtime leader of the Fort Peck Tribes of Montana, died on Thursday. He was 71.

Culbertson served on the tribal council for 28 years. His main priority was economic development -- he worked on taxation, rights-of-way and other business issues.

“Where there is poverty, all things that are detrimental to our communities will occur,” Culbertson told the Fort Peck Journal, according to The Billings Gazette.

Culbertson had been on a leave of absence after being hospitalized in March.

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Longtime Fort Peck tribal leader dies at 71 (The Billings Gazette 6/25)