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McCollum Mourns the Passing of Marge Anderson; A Great Native American Leader, Mentor and Friend

July 1, 2013

St. Paul, MN – The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe announced today that their former Chief Executive, Marjorie Anderson, passed away yesterday of natural causes. She served as chief executive from 1991 to 2000, and then again from 2008 to 2012. As Chief Executive, Marge Anderson was instrumental in defending the Mille Lacs Band’s treaty rights and investing tribal gaming revenues towards improving services and the quality of life for Mille Lacs Band members. A powerful female leader and champion of tribal sovereignty, Marge Anderson was a national figure honored and respected throughout Minnesota, by federal officials in Washington, and by tribal leaders across the U.S.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum issued the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Marge Anderson and I wish to extend my condolences to her family and all the community members who loved her.”

“The members of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe have lost a great political leader and champion of tribal rights who will be remembered for generations to come. Marge was an inspiration who dedicated her life to improving the lives of her community and Indian people all across this country.”

“Personally, I have lost a friend and a mentor whom I admired for her strong leadership and courage. For more than twenty years I worked with Marge and learned from her. I will miss Marge, but having known her has been an honor and privilege I treasure.”

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Congresswoman Betty McCollum is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and serves as the Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus