Reframing Closed Doors as Sacred Pathways and Spiritual Redirection with Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer
How can closed doors become a catalyst for redirection?
Join us in this powerful conversation with Kahsennehawe Sky-Deer, Former Grand Chief of Kahnawà:ke, CEO and President at Sky-Deer Consulting and Vice President at Dable Consulting and Advisory Services.
Together, we explore:
✨ The challenges of breaking barriers in politics as one of the first Indigenous woman and 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders
✨ The public scrutiny, systemic resistance, and personal attacks Indigenous and women of colour leaders can face—and how to rise above them
✨ How to meaningfully engage in reconciliation with Indigenous communities
✨ The role of sovereignty, ancestral wisdom, and cultural grounding in leadership
✨ How embracing change and uncertainty can open new doors for impact and transformation
Kahsennehawe shares her trailblazing leadership journey, from making history in politics to embracing her next act in community impact and bridge-building beyond government roles. She invites us to reflect: What does it mean to lead on your own terms, with courage and authenticity?
Step into the next act of your leadership journey with sovereignty, spirituality, and purpose.
Listen to the episode here or watch the episode on Youtube.
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Learn more about Kahsennenhawe on her Website and LinkedIn
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01:33 – Kahsennehawe Skydeer reflects on her trailblazing leadership journey, from being the first-ever female and 2SLGBTQ Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke to making history with a landmark Hydro-Québec deal. She shares how her roots, cultural grounding, and unwavering resolve have shaped her leadership.
07:20 – Kahsennehawe opens up about the weight of leadership in Indigenous communities, navigating public scrutiny, personal attacks, and systemic resistance as a woman and LGBTQ+ leader. She shares how she remained anchored in sovereignty, spirituality, and service through it all.
21:06 – After an intense political journey, Kahsennehawe discusses the painful yet transformative experience of not being re-elected, the liberation that followed, and how she embraced her next act—launching Skydeer Consulting and stepping into new opportunities.
33:52 – We explore the deep interconnection between Indigenous leadership, spirituality, and ancestral wisdom, and why reconciliation must be paired with action. Kahsennehawe shares how seasons, ceremonies, connection to nature, and cultural grounding serve as powerful leadership tools.
51:52 – Kahsennehawe leaves us with a call to action: Build meaningful relationships with First Nations communities. Whether through personal connection or education, she urges listeners to seek out Indigenous perspectives and embrace the Indigenous spiritual knowledge rising today.
