HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Connecticut's Mohegan tribe has inducted its first female tribal chief in almost 300 years.
In an Aug. 15 ceremony, Lynn Malerba became chief of the Mohegans, whose Mohegan Sun casino complex in southeastern Connecticut is one of the world's largest gaming and hotel facilities and employs nearly 10,000 people.
Malerba is the Mohegans' first female chief since 1723.
The tribe, which has about 1,700 members, has been without a chief since the death in October 2007 of Ralph Sturges. He shepherded the tribe through federal recognition in 1994 and the opening of its casino two years later.
Malerba was chairwoman of the Mohegan Tribal Council, the governing body that runs the casino and the tribe's business interests.