Laura Spurr, tribal chair of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, was in the US state of California last week to make a presentation on the construction and design of the FireKeepers Casino.

Shortly after completing her presentation she collapsed and died in hospital the following day (Friday).

Spurr, who was 64, had been tribal chair since 2003 and also represented the tribe on the National Tribal Operations Committee. On February 10, 2009, she was honoured as one of two "Tribal Leaders of the Year" by the Native American Finance Officers Association for her efforts to develop FireKeepers Casino.

Spurr is survived by her husband Stephen and two sons Nathaniel and Josiah.