Ada Deer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ada Deer
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| 6th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs | |
| In office 1993–1997 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Eddie Frank Brown |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Gover |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 7, 1935 Keshena, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | August 15, 2023 (aged 88) |
| Nationality | Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA) Columbia University (MSW) |
Ada Deer (born August 7, 1935 – died August 15, 2023) was an important American leader. She was a member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. Ada worked hard to help Native American communities. She fought against laws that tried to end tribes' special relationship with the U.S. government. Later, she became a top government official, helping lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs under President Bill Clinton.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ada Deer was born on August 7, 1935. Her hometown was Keshena, Wisconsin. She grew up on a Native American reservation. Ada was a very active member of the Menominee tribe. This tribe lives in the northeast part of Wisconsin.
Ada loved learning. She earned a bachelor's degree. This was from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Then, she got a master's degree in social work. She studied at the Columbia University School of Social Work. After finishing her studies, Ada became a social worker for the Menominee people.
Fighting for Native American Rights
After college, Ada Deer moved closer to the Menominee Indian Reservation. She settled in Minneapolis. She noticed there were not many services for Native Americans living in cities. Because of her social work background, Ada started helping them. She spoke to the U.S. government on their behalf.
Ada also helped a new group of Native American leaders. They worked to gain more control for tribes. This idea is called "self-determination." It means tribes can make their own decisions.
Ending the Termination Era
In the 1950s and 1960s, the U.S. government had a policy. It was called the "Termination Era." This policy tried to end the special ties between tribes and the government. For the Menominee tribe, this meant they were run by a company. It was called Menominee Enterprises, Inc. Tribal members did not have shares in this company.
Ada Deer joined a group called DRUMS. This stood for "Determination of Right and Unity for Menominee Shareholders." They fought against the company selling Menominee lands. Ada worked very hard. She traveled to Washington D.C. many times. She helped raise awareness and support for the Menominee cause.
Her efforts helped end the Termination Era. On December 22, 1973, President Richard Nixon signed a law. It was called the Menominee Restoration Act. This law officially recognized the Menominee tribe again. Because of her hard work, Ada Deer became the first woman to lead the Menominee tribe in Wisconsin. She served as chair of the Menominee Restoration Committee from 1974 to 1976.
Working with Native American Rights Fund
Ada Deer also worked with the Native American Rights Fund (NARF). This group helps protect Native American rights. She was the head of their National Support Committee. She also chaired the NARF board of directors.
Serving in the U.S. Government
In 1993, President Bill Clinton chose Ada Deer for an important job. She became the Assistant Secretary of the Interior. This meant she led the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). She held this position from 1993 to 1997. Ada Deer was the first woman ever to lead the BIA.
Bruce Babbitt, who was the Secretary of the Interior, praised her. He said she had a "lifelong commitment to American Indian rights." He also said she worked to "improve the lives of American Indians."
While in this role, she also represented the U.S. at the Human Rights Committee for the United Nations. From January to May 1997, she led the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Political Involvement
Ada Deer was involved in politics starting in the 1970s. She ran for Secretary of State of Wisconsin twice. She also ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 1992. She was the first Native American woman in Wisconsin to run for U.S. Congress.
In 2020, Ada Deer was a delegate for Joe Biden. This was at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. She continued to support political candidates who she believed would help her community.
Teaching and Education
Ada Deer also had a career in education. From 1977, she taught at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She was a "Distinguished Lecturer" in the School of Social Work. From 1999, she directed the American Indian Studies Department there.
She helped start the Indian Community School in Milwaukee. She also created the first program at the University of Wisconsin. This program trained social workers on Native American reservations. She was also a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics.
Death
Ada Deer passed away on August 15, 2023. She was 88 years old.
Notable Achievements
- First member of the Menominee Tribe to graduate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1957)
- First member of the Menominee Tribe to receive a master's degree (1961)
- First woman to serve as chair of the Menominee Restoration Committee (1974)
- Pollitzer Award, Ethical Cultural Society, N.Y. (1975)
- First woman to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs (1993)
- Included in the book Celebrating Social Work: Faces and Voices of the Formative Years (2003)
- Honored during National Women's History Month in 2000
Images for kids
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Ada Deer, a leader for Native American rights.
