Colville Business Council member Gail DeLaCruz, 49, passed away in Spokane, after suffering a stroke at her Inchelium home Jan. 2.
     DeLaCruz, who represented the Inchelium district as the council's vice-chair, served two terms on the council.
     "Gail was a well-respected tribal leader throughout Indian Country," said Colville Business Council chairman Mike Marchand. "We will all miss her as a friend and a colleague."
     DeLaCruz followed in the footsteps of her father, Joseph DeLaCruz, a former president of the Quinault Indian Nation in Taholah, Wash., and former president of the National Congress of Indians. He passed away in 2000. Her grandmother, Mary Lemery, and uncle Louis "Butch" Lemery, also served on the Colville Business Council.
     "She was very passionate in protecting the sovereignty of the tribes and the rights of all Indian people," said Marchand. "She never lost sight of this goal and was a courageous, dedicated council member."
     Ted Bessette, who represents the Omak district in the Colville Business Council, said DeLaCruz explored issues from a practical perspective.
     "She had common sense and knowledge about the issues where she could ask informed questions and make learned comments about a variety of issues facing the tribe," said Bessette. "It will be a big job to fill her position because of the knowledge and abilities that she brought to the table."
     The Colville Tribes organization will be closed on Monday out of respect of DeLaCruz and her family, according to the tribe.
     A Rosary will be held Monday, Jan. 7 at 10:45 a.m. in the Inchelium Community Center. A funeral will follow at 11 a.m. DeLaCruz will be interred at the Hall Creek Cemetery in Inchelium. Father Bob Jones and Father Jake Morton will preside over the services.