The Mohawk Nation Roiane of the Wolf Clan Chief Brian Skidders

AKWESASNE OCTOBER 17, 2002 – As difficult as it was, this condoled Chief of the Mohawk Nation, Tekanatsiasere, Brian Skidders, was a family man. He married Margie Skidders in a traditional ceremony at the old Mohawk Nation Longhouse. They had four children. Brian was a proud of his family and very serious about having a family that lived according to the ways pf the Haudenosaunee. His duties as a Chief, a husband and a father were done with deliberations and conviction. In May 2000, Tekanatsiasere became a condoled Chief for the Mohawk Nation. His title was through the clanmother, Kawisenhawe Elizabeth Hopps. As a title holder, Kawisenhawe’s clan conferred the title to him; Orenrehkowa.

He represented the Mohawk Nation in meetings and conferences too numerous to count. Last year he traveled to Geneva, Switzerland to represent Haudenosaunee and to support the Untited Nations Declaration on Indigenous Rights. Once a month he would meet with the Haudenosaunee on land claims, hunting and fishing rights as well as other topics of the day. He also worked diligently on a Haudenosaunee Gun Law which has had an impact in Canada.

Locally he met with two elected councils at Akwesasne to begin the land claims negotiations once again. He also participated briefly with the three elected councils at Akwesasne, Kahnawake and Kanesatake to add direction for the protection of Mohawk rights.

When Brian became a condoled chief, he immediately set out to unite the Mohawks. This Mohawk Nation had become factionalized since the imposition of elected councils and other different issues in Mohawk country. He traveled to the Six Nations reserve to meet with various traditional Mohawks. He went to Kahnawake to meet with the Mohawk Trails Longhouse and the 207 Longhouse, which started a dialogue and a forum to support each other. As well, he met with representatives from Ganienkeh and from other factions of Akwesasne.

During these and all deliberations, Tekanatsiasere had an amazing ability to rise up and use a good mind even in the most controversial forums. In a negative world, he was able to look at positive aspects of discussions and brought forward a better thinking from all parties involved.

Well-versed in his language and culture, he became the principal/administrator of the

Akwesasne Freedom School for two years before his condolence. He used traditional practices to enhance the teaching of the

Mohawk language and culture. As well, his youngest daughter and son attended the school and still remain part of those teachings.

Together with the Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment, he became involved in a community garden project to promote the use of Haudenosaunee foods back into

the diet. His expertise of growing corn and other vegetables came from his family background which included harvesting and preserving. As a Chief for the Mohawk

Nation, he realized how important it was to feed our people.

Locally, Brian worked hard to get the Mohawk Nation back on track and to become a Nation government as it existed before the imposition of governments by colonial

powers. It was the direction of the Peacemaker for the Haudenosaunee, and it was the direction of Roaine Tekanatsiasere Brian Skidders.

People of the Mohawk Nation should feel honored to have participated in his work. And yet, we need to continue what our forefathers started, continue work of the Mohawk Nation and support our Clan Chiefs to represent our right. In closing, the work of Tekanatsiasere and the continued work of Haudenosaunee Chiefs need to be supported by all.