Grand Chief to attend Columbia University Indigenous Peoples Day

10/07/2022

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke wishes to advise the community that Oh�n:ton �:iente ne Ratits�nhaienhs (Grand Chief) Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer will attend a special celebration of Indigenous Peoples′ Day taking place on Monday, October 10th in New York City.

�I was honored to be invited by Columbia University′s President Lee Bollinger, Barnard College President Sian Beilock and the Indigenous Peoples′ Initiative to participate in this event at Columbia University′s campus,� said Grand Chief Sky-Deer. �This is a great opportunity to meet with fellow Indigenous leaders, as well as influential educators from prestigious institutions. I have also been asked to open the event with a land acknowledgement.�

Among dignitaries invited to attend and/or participate are various Indigenous/ and tribal delegations, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, model and activist Quannah Rose Chasinghorse-Potts, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Columbia University Provost Mary Boyce, the deans of Columbia College and Barnard College, and student council leadership.

The event will be then followed by a performance of a basket dance by the Picuris Pueblo. Grand Chief will be back in the office on Tuesday, October 11th.