Ralph W. Sturges
Ralph W. Sturges | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 25, 1918 |
| Died | October 1, 2007 (aged 88) |
| Nationality | Mohegan |
| Other names | G’tinemong |
Ralph Weston Sturges (December 25, 1918 – October 1, 2007) was an American Mohegan tribal chief who helped gain federal recognition for the Mohegan people of Connecticut in 1994. He also helped to found and build Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Casino.[1] He held the title of "chief for life."[2]
The Mohegan tribe, which is based in
Uncasville.[3] The Mohegans are one of the wealthiest tribes in the United States,[3] thanks to income from casinos
and other facilities, whose construction was spearheaded by Sturges.
Personal life
Sturges was born December 25, 1918, in
medicine woman and early 1900s Native American activist who campaigned for the state to settle Mohegan land grievances.[2]
He served in the
U.S. military in an intelligence division in New Guinea and the Philippines.[3] He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in the war.[2]
Sturges worked in a number of professions before becoming active in Mohegan tribal affairs late in life. He worked as a
Salvation Army and a payroll deliveryman for an armored car company, among other jobs.[1]
He was a skilled and active
M. Jodi Rell issued a statement following Sturges' death in 2007 saying, "He will be forever remembered for his contributions not only as a wise leader ... but as a skilled sculptor."[2]
References
- ^ a b "Mohegan Chief Dies". Hartford Courant. 2007-10-01. Archived from the original on 2013-01-02. Retrieved 2007-10-08.
- ^ a b c d e Peters, Mark (2007-10-02). "Longtime Mohegan Leader Dies At 88". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
- ^ New York Times. Retrieved 2007-10-08.