Katsitsenhawe Delaronde Obituary

Katsi’tsénhawe Laureen Delaronde, age 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday July 17, 2025 at her home in Ganienkeh Territory. In 1974, Katsi’tsénhawe helped lead a vanguard of Mohawk Indians from Canada into the Adirondack Mountains to take back land that rightfully belonged to them. After more than 200 negotiation meetings with representatives from the Federal Government, and then with the State of New York in 1977, Katsi’tsénhawe and the People of Ganienkeh agreed to move their settlement three hours north to Miner Lake, near Altona, New York. The move was made with the intent to rebuild the Mohawk Nation from within and without interference from any foreign agency. Katsi’tsénhawe’s bravery and all-or-nothing mindset has helped lead to Ganienkeh’s establishment, and for more than 50 years Ganienkeh remains a fully Independent and Sovereign North American Indian State. Katsi’tsénhawe enjoyed loom work, crafting with her family, poetry, reminiscing on old photos, garage sales on the weekends with her husband and their best friends John and Mary Lou Weightman, watching movies and true crime shows, recording her own mixtapes, and visits from all the kids who stopped by for cookies and juice. Katsi’tsénhawe Laureen Delaronde, is survived by her husband Tiohkwanó:ron Thomas Delaronde; her childre Brian Delaronde (Tia), Dawn Delaronde (Barry) Chosen Daughter Diane Laborgne (Al); grandchildren Katsi’tsenhá:wi, Karonhí:io, Kahnekenhá:wi, Ioráhkote, Raiè:wate, Teiokahráthe, Tehorahkwané:ken, Takaiénhne & Ken’nikanorà:’a; great grandchildren Karonhiaiénhne, Aronhiakén:iate, Iakoniéhtare, Kanerahtaié:nas, Ienennio’kwanóhstha, Shanenhaiéhtha, Konwatsenhaien:ni, Iakoterennotenhní:hen, Kahnehtawenserá:te, Roskarawén:te, Shakokahrhen’taónhnhets, Iakotera’shwí:io, Teya’ohnislastaláte’, Ra’kenhráia’ks, Shakoianahnótha, Ratetshen’tóhskon, 2 baby girls on the way, and all of her chosen grandchildren of Ganienkeh.Calling hours will be from Saturday July 19, 2025 from 10:00 A.M. until her burial at 11 A.M. Sunday, July 20, 2025 in Genienkeh Territory. All are welcome to attend.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeny.com