Purcell Powless

Purcell Powless (December 25, 1925 – November 05, 2010) was the tribal chairman of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, United States.

Early life

Purcell Powless was born into the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin in 1925 on their reservation. He served in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II.

Career

After the war, Powless started as a steel worker.

He gradually became more active in tribal politics. In 1967 he was elected Tribal Chairman of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, taking over from Norbert Hill.[1] Before that, he served on the nine-member Business Committee. Repeatedly re-elected, he served until 1990.

He led the Nation in new directions, establishing bingo, a lottery in 1988, and a gaming casino as new sources of revenues to provide for economic development and welfare of the tribe. During his administration the Nation developed the Ashwaubenon Casino in association with private parties.[2](subscription required)

Notes
  1. "Tribal Members Strive to Develop Their Own Community". The Post-Crescent. August 7, 1972. p. 26. Retrieved January 10, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. Scott Williams, "Oneida tribal icon Purcell Powless dies at age 84", Green Bay Press Gazette, 7 November 2010, accessed 21 May 2014
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