Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer is the former Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke. She made “herstory” in 2021, when she was the first woman who also identifies as Two Spirit to ever be elected to the position. Prior to that she served her community as a Council Chief for twelve consecutive years.

During her tenure as Grand Chief, she signed a historic deal with Hydro Quebec for a partnership to bring clean renewable electricity to New York City (CHPE). She recently was able to help raise 56 million dollars as the chairperson of a capital campaign for a new building for Language, Culture, Tourism and a museum in Kahnawà:ke.

In July 2024, she launched her own business called Sky-Deer Consulting and in January 2025 she became the Vice President of Dable Advisory and Consulting Services in Kahnawà:ke. Through these roles she continues to work in advancing and improving the realities faced by First Nation communities.

Sky-Deer has always been a trailblazer as she was a starting quarterback in the inaugural season of women’s professional tackle football in 2000, playing for 6 seasons in Florida before going back to school and graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She was an honored with the United Natives Athlete of the Year Award during the Super Bowl Week in New Orleans in February 2025 for trailblazing in the sport and in leadership.

She received the King Charles III Coronation Medal of Honor in December 2024 for Commerce, Industry and Economy. In 2023 she received a lesbian visibility award from the Quebec Lesbian Network and was on the cover and featured in the 7th edition of lstw magazine. More recently, she was one of the Stone Gatherers for the Thunderhead Monument in Ottawa to commemorate the LGBTQ Purge.

Sky-Deer continues to motivate and inspire young girls, women, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals that you can shatter glass ceilings and achieve your dreams by being your true and authentic self. Sky-Deer continues to do public speaking engagements and panels across various sectors to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders.