U.S. Sen. Tina Smith honors Grand Portage chairman Norman Deschampe with Senate tribute

Norman Deschampe

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) honored the legacy and contributions of Grand Portage Chairman Norman W. Deschampe, who recently passed away.

Praising his leadership, Smith cited the numerous issues Deschampe championed in his more than 40 years of service to the Grand Portage Band, serving 27 of those years as chairman. Smith’s tribute follows Gov. Tim Walz’s declaration of February 26, 2019 as Norman Deschampe Day.

“Norman Deschampe’s legacy includes a longstanding commitment to supporting the health, education, and economic development of the Grand Portage Band,” wrote Smith, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, in her official statement for the Senate record. “He promoted environmental stewardship and fostered relationships with local, state, and federal governments to encourage conservation on the reservation and beyond.

“Norman Deschampe encouraged the appreciation and preservation of the traditions and customs of the Grand Portage Band and is remembered by many for his kindness and generosity.”

Tribute to Norman W. Deschampe

Mr. President, I would like to acknowledge the contributions and legacy of Norman W. Deschampe, the long-time chairman of the Grand Portage Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa, who recently passed away on February 9, 2019.

Norman Deschampe was born on February 26, 1953 and lived with a commitment to improving the lives of the people of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. For more than forty years, Norman Deschampe served the people of the Grand Portage Band, first as a Tribal Council member and later as secretary treasurer and, for 27 years, as chairman. He also served for six years as vice president and 22 years as president of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

Norman Deschampe’s legacy includes a longstanding commitment to supporting the health, education, and economic development of the Grand Portage Band. He promoted environmental stewardship and fostered relationships with local, state, and federal governments to encourage conservation on the reservation and beyond. Norman Deschampe encouraged the appreciation and preservation of the traditions and customs of the Grand Portage Band and is remembered by many for his kindness and generosity.

Norman Deschampe made a lasting contribution to the Grand Portage Band and the state of Minnesota, and I am proud to recognize his legacy as Minnesota celebrated Norman Deschampe Day on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.