Statement from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council:
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we mourn the sudden passing of our beloved cousin, former Tribal Council Chairman Michael J. Thomas, whom we affectionately referred to as “MT”. He is the first Chairman in our Tribe’s contemporary history since becoming federally recognized that we have lost.
For each of us on the Tribal Council, this loss is deeply personal. Michael was not simply a former Chairman, respected colleague, or dedicated public servant. He was our family. He was our cousin whom we loved dearly, and whose presence, laughter, wisdom, and unwavering love for our people touched our lives in countless ways. His influence on all seven Tribal Council members has helped to strengthen and shape us into the public servants that we are today.
Michael devoted so much of his life to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. From his early work protecting our natural resources and developing critical infrastructure, to his leadership on Tribal Council and his tireless commitment to preserving our history, culture, and traditions, his contributions helped shape the community we are today. As a gifted traditional singer and founding member of the Mystic River Singers, he also carried the voices and traditions of our ancestors forward, inspiring people throughout Indian Country.
But beyond his many accomplishments, we will remember Michael most for who he was — a devoted father, brother, uncle, cousin, Elder, mentor, and proud Pequot whose love for his family and his people was at the heart of everything he did. His legacy is woven into the very fabric of our Nation, and his spirit will continue to live through his children, his family, the people he mentored, and the generations who will follow.