Home The News North East News Malerba named lifetime chief of Mohegan Tribe

Malerba named lifetime chief of Mohegan Tribe

Written by Administrator

Thursday, 25 March 2010

Malerba named lifetime chief of Mohegan Tribe By Gale Courey Toensing Story Published: Mar 23, 2010 UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Barely six months after Lynn Malerba was voted the first woman chair of the Mohegan Tribal Council, she has been chosen as the first woman in modern history to be chief of the Mohegan Tribe. It is the nation’s position of highest respect and greatest honor. The Council of Elders, which chose Malerba to fill the position that has been vacant since the passing of Chief Ralph Sturges in 2007, announced her appointment at an event at the Mohegan Church March 3. Her formal induction as chief will take place Aug. 15 during homecoming ceremonies at Fort Shantok, the tribe’s ancestral lands in Uncasville. Robert Soper Sr., chairman of the Council of Elders, which serves as the guardians of culture and history for the tribal nation, said the council was unanimous in its support for Malerba’s “excellent character, her exceptional diplomacy, her outstanding leadership and her devotion to the Mohegan Tribe and its people.” The appointment came as a total surprise, Malerba said. “To me it’s such an honor because it tells me the elders have faith and confidence in the work that I’ve done and believe that I represent the tribe in a very positive way. I’m extremely pleased.” Malerba was first elected to the tribal council in 2005 and served as vice chairwoman. She was re-elected to the council last fall and chosen by her council colleagues to serve as chairwoman, a role in which she will continue to serve until her formal induction in the summer. Although her time as chair has been brief, Malerba welcomes the transition. “Certainly, I feel there’s work I have yet to do and I think every time you make a life changing decision, there’s always a bit of a twinge. The timing wasn’t mine so I guess I did have to think about that a little bit, but what it came down to is that any decision I’ve made about being here and working for the tribe in any capacity has always been about where I do the most good for the most people.” Malerba was director and executive director of the nation’s Health and Human Services Department from 1997 – 2005 and developed the programs and services that directly benefit the nation’s citizens. Prior to that, she held manager and director positions at the Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, Conn., and continues to serve on its board of directors. She earned a master’s degree in public policy. The position of chief of the Mohegan Tribe is a lifetime appointment. The chief is the public face of the tribe, and as guardian of the tribe’s culture and history, the chief is the link that provides stability and continuity between generations, the councils and elected officials. The chief’s role includes ceremonial functions, but the “job description” is not explicitly described in the nation’s Constitution. “The position of chief is not about authority and power (in the sense of executive power) as much as it is about working in an advisory capacity to influence policy and direction, So I see the chief as being very complementary to both the elected bodies – the tribal council and the Council of Elders – as well as representing the interests of the membership and understanding what the members needs are,” Malerba said. “I think I’ll be a very active participant in tribal government.” But each chief has fulfilled his role in response to the needs of the tribe at the time, Malerba said. Some have focused on keeping the tribe’s cultural heritage strong and its presence felt in the region; others have worked on the return or protection of the tribe’s indigenous lands, or protecting the church or burial grounds. “So I think my role is yet to be determined. I haven’t had a lot of time to sit and think about that yet, because I’m kind of wrapping up some things as chairwoman. I think my role as chief will evolve over time. I think it will make itself known to me over time.” Malerba acknowledged a long family tradition of service to the Mohegan people going back to her great-grandfather, the late Chief Matahga. She also expressed gratitude to a long line of Mohegan women who have played powerful roles within the tribe, including her mother, Nonner Loretta Roberge. “The selection of my daughter Lynn to serve as chief of the Mohegan Tribe is an overwhelming honor for my family and for our tribal members,” Roberge said. “I know in my heart that Lynn will continue the strong leadership role of women in the Mohegan Tribe as we move forward together into the 21st century.” “It’s very exciting,” Malerba said of her appointment, but she acknowledged that the past has propelled both her and the Mohegan people to the present. “I have to say again all honor to the people who went before me, because if not for them none of us would be assuming the roles we’re assuming today.” http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/88562057.html

 

< Prev		Next >