Marge Anderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marge Anderson
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| Born |
Marjorie Ann Davis
April 21, 1932 Mille Lacs Reservation (located in central Minnesota, USA)
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| Died | June 29, 2013 (aged 81) Onamia, Minnesota, USA
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| Nationality | Ojibwe |
| Other names | Marjorie Ann Anderson |
| Occupation | Elder, politician |
| Years active | 1976-2012 |
Marjorie Ann "Marge" (née Davis) Anderson (born April 21, 1932 – died June 29, 2013) was an important leader for the Ojibwe people. She was an Elder and a politician for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, a Native American tribe located in central Minnesota.
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Marge Anderson's Life and Leadership
Marge Anderson was born on the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation. This is the special land set aside for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. She grew up speaking the Ojibwe language fluently. This means she could speak it very well. Marge spent more than 30 years working in her tribe's government. A "tribal government" is like the government of a country or state, but it leads a Native American tribe.
Starting Her Public Service
Marge Anderson began helping her community in 1976. She started as a representative for District I. This was her first step in public service. From 1987 to 1991, she worked as the Secretary/Treasurer. This role is important for managing the tribe's money and records.
Becoming a Top Leader
In 1991, Marge Anderson became the Chairman of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. She took over after the previous leader, Arthur Gahbow, passed away. In 1992, she was officially elected to this top position. The title of her role changed from Chairman to Chief Executive. She was elected again in 1996.
Marge Anderson made history! She was the first woman to lead the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. She was also the first woman to lead any Native American tribe in Minnesota.
Major Achievements as Chief Executive
During her time as Chief Executive, Marge Anderson helped her community grow a lot. She led the creation of two big casinos: Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley. These casinos helped bring money to the tribe.
She also worked hard to rebuild the reservation. This included building new schools for children, clinics for healthcare, and community centers for everyone to use. She also helped build new homes and a water treatment plant. These projects made life better for her people.
Marge Anderson worked to make her tribe stronger and more independent. This is called "self-governance" and "self-sufficiency." Her efforts were recognized all across the country. She passed away in Onamia, a small city in Minnesota.
