Grand Chief to attend Columbia University Indigenous Peoples Day

10/07/2022

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to advise the community that Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs (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.