Mohawk Council of Kahnawake pays tribute to Paul G. Deer, former Council member

03/23/2020

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) wishes to offer its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and past colleagues of former elected Council Chief Paul G. Deer, who passed away this weekend at the age of 88.

Rats�nhaienhs Deer was first elected in 1976 and served for twenty consecutive years (ten terms of office).

He will be remembered for his noteworthy dedication to his community. A fluent Kanien�k�ha speaker and a strong advocate for the promotion and revitalization of the language, he remained politically active long after his time on Council. He was a constant presence at Community Meetings and was very active in Community Decision Making Process hearings, always as the eldest person participating.

A moment of silence was held in his honor before the start of today�s Council meeting.

�Paul and I went back a long way,� said Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton. �My relationship with him was special. We worked together doing ironwork in New York City fifty years ago, then another twenty years together as Council Chiefs. While I offer condolences on behalf of the MCK, I�d also like to offer my personal condolences to his wife Nancy and his entire family.�

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.