Ada E. Deer life and biography

Ada Elizabeth Deer: A Lifetime Devoted to Native American Advocacy

Ada Elizabeth Deer, born on August 7, 1935, in Keshena on the Menominee Indian Reservation, Wisconsin, emerged as a formidable figure in Native American advocacy. The eldest of five children, her upbringing in a log cabin near the Wolf River instilled in her rich values that shaped a lifetime commitment to service. Despite the challenges of her early years, she excelled academically, graduating in the top ten of her high school class. Ada embarked on her educational journey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she became the first Menominee to graduate, earning a B.A. in social work in 1957. Subsequently, in 1961, she achieved another milestone, becoming the first Native American to receive an M.S.W. from Columbia University.

Early Professional Years and Activism

Ada Deer's career as a social worker unfolded with positions in New York City, Minneapolis Public Schools, and service with the Peace Corps in Puerto Rico. However, her trajectory shifted in 1964 when she assumed a role with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in Minnesota as a Community Service Coordinator. This marked the beginning of her lifelong advocacy for Native American rights.

Menominee Restoration Efforts

A critical juncture in Deer's life occurred when the Menominee Tribe faced the impact of the Menominee Termination Act, part of the U.S. government's 1950s termination policy. Determined to reverse the policy, Deer left law school and returned to Menominee County, where she played a pivotal role in the creation of Determination of Rights and Unity for Menominee Shareholders (DRUMS). Through DRUMS, Deer fought for federal recognition and restoration of tribal rights, culminating in the signing of the Menominee Restoration Act on December 22, 1973.

Academic and Political Ventures

Following the success of the Menominee restoration efforts, Ada Deer embarked on an academic journey, becoming a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Simultaneously, she entered the political arena, serving as legislative liaison to the Native American Rights Fund and running for Wisconsin secretary of state in 1982.

National Recognition and Political Campaigns

In 1984, Deer's influence reached the national stage as a delegate-at-large at the Democratic National Convention and vice-chair of the National Mondale-Ferraro Presidential Campaign. In 1992, she made history as a formidable candidate for Congress. Although narrowly missing that achievement, President Clinton nominated her to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs in May 1993.

Leading the BIA

As the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs during the Clinton administration, Deer assumed leadership of an agency historically fraught with bureaucracy and strained tribal relations. Her tenure focused on advocating for Indian self-determination, economic self-sufficiency, and cooperative efforts between tribes, businesses, and government entities.

Legacy and International Advocacy

Ada Deer's impact extended beyond national borders. Actively involved in Clinton administration initiatives, she served on the President's Inter-Agency Council on Women and testified before the UN Human Rights Committee. Leading domestic activities for the Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Deer collaborated closely with the State Department.

In 2020, Deer was a Joe Biden delegate at the 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC). Deer endorsed State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski's campaign for Senate in the 2022 election.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her lifetime, Ada Deer's advocacy garnered numerous awards, including the White Buffalo Council Achievement Award, honorary doctorates, the Woman of the Year Award from Girl Scouts of America, the Wonder Woman Award, the Indian Council Fire Achievement Award, and the National Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Indian Resources Institute.

The Difference One Person Can Make

Ada Deer's enduring motto, "one person can make a difference," encapsulates her journey. Her legacy as a trailblazer in Native American advocacy, political leadership, and academia reflects a profound commitment to human rights, coalition building, and the values of caring, sharing, and respect.

Ada Elizabeth Deer passed away on August 15, 2023, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations in the ongoing pursuit of social justice and Native American rights.

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Deer, Ada, and R. E. Simon, Jr., Speaking Out, Chicago, Children's Press Open Door Books, 1970.

Deer, Ada, "The Power Came from the People," in I Am the Fire of Time: The Voices of Native American Women, edited by Jane B. Katz, New York, Dutton, 1977.

Department of the Interior: "http://www.doi.gov/bia/adabio.html," July 18, 1997.

Hardy, Gayle J., American Women Civil Rights Activists: Bio-bibliographies of 68 Leaders, 1825-1992, Jefferson, North Carolina, McFarland, 1993; 128-134.

Native American Women, edited by Gretchen M. Bataille, New York, Garland Publishing, 1993; 76-78.

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Peroff, Nicholas C., Menominee Drums: Tribal Termination and Restoration, 1954-1974, Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1982.

Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian, sixth edition, edited by Barry T. Klein, West Nyack, New York, Todd Publications, 1993; 504-505.

Cohen, Karen J., "Ada Deer Tries to Start Fire Under Bureaucracy," Wisconsin State Journal, March 20, 1994; B1.

"Female BIA Chief 'Shaking Agency Up,"' Denver Post, September 2, 1993; B2.

Richardson, Jeff, "Ada Deer: Native Values for BIA Management," Tundra Times, September 8, 1993; 1.

Worthington, Rogers, "Woman Picked to Lead Indian Bureau," Chicago Tribune, May 20, 1993; A1.

Nomination of Ada Deer: Hearing before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, First Session, on the Nomination of Ada Deer to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, July 15, 1993, Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, 1993.

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