
Gary White Deer
The friendship between the Irish and the Choctaw nation is one born out of tragedy. Only a decade after their own “Trail of Tears,” the Choctaw nation contributed $170 towards Irish Famine Relief.
Gary White Deer, an Oklahoma Choctaw, whose mother is of Irish descent, is an artist, historic preservationist and cultural presenter. He is Executive Director of Celts and American Indians Together, an international humanitarian organization based in New Rochelle, New York. White Deer is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. His art has been exhibited at the American Embassy in Dublin, as well as other international venues in London, Stuttgart and Zurich. He served as Artist-in-Residence at the Calgacht Centre in Derry, Ireland, and has been featured in North American Indian Artists published by St James Press. He also recently appeared in the Turner Network’s The Native Americans, and the National Geographic documentary When Ireland Starved.
As an historical preservationist, White Deer led the first Native American delegation to the European Union to Initiate negotiations for the repatriation of tribal remains and sacred objects. He is a former Tribal Historical Preservation Officer and Cultural Resources Director, and is currently a Regional Director for Keepers of the Treasures.
Mr. White Deer works relentlessly to perpetuate the Native American culture and bring knowledge of this culture to the rest of the world. He maintains a Southeastern Indian dance troupe and has led dance presentations at numerous festivals and celebrations. He and his wife live near Ada, Oklahoma.