Political Quotes

“today I recognize and honor Ada Deer on the occasion of her 80th birthday. Throughout her life, Ada has been an effective advocate and leader whose trailblazing work has improved the lives of Native Americans, women, students and others in Wisconsin and across the Nation. The celebration of this milestone birthday is a special opportunity to celebrate her dedication to service and social engagement. Ada Deer was born on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Keshena, WI. She was the first Menominee to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the first Native American to receive a masters of social work from Columbia University. She has been a champion for Indian rights throughout her remarkable career. When the Federal Government established a policy to terminate the sovereign status of tribes, the Menominee was among the first to go through the process of termination, and they suffered greatly under it. Ada organized a grassroots organization, Determination of Right and Unity for Menominee Shareholders, DRUMS, and fought successfully to restore Federal recognition of the Menominee tribe. Ada's leadership led to her election as the first woman to chair the Menominee tribe in Wisconsin. She spent many years as a lecturer in the School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and also guided the university's American Indian Studies Department. Ada worked as a house director, community coordinator, school social worker, and professor.…”