Ada Deer, Trailblazing Native American Leader, Passes Away at 88

Ada Deer, a prominent Native American leader in Wisconsin and nationwide, has passed away at the age of 88. Deer was a trailblazer who achieved many firsts, including being the first woman to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the first woman to serve as chairperson of the Menominee Nation, and the first Native American woman to run for Congress in Wisconsin. She was instrumental in restoring federal recognition for her tribe and fought for the sovereignty of all Indigenous nations. Deer's legacy includes her advocacy for education, her work with the Native American Rights Fund, and her efforts to promote Native American participation in the Peace Corps. Her passing is mourned by officials and the Menominee community, who remember her as a champion for Native American rights and a source of inspiration.