Former Mohawk wrestler & Kahnawà:ke council chief Billy Two Rivers has died

Mohawk wrestler, icon, and council chief Billy Two Rivers has died at the age of 87 in Kahnawà:ke.

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke announced his death in a statement published Monday.

Billy Two Rivers started his wrestling career at just 17 years old and headlined wrestling shows around the world between the 1950s and 1970s.

After retiring from wrestling he entered politics where he spent 20 years – as chief at the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke.

He was first elected to Kahnawà:kecouncil in 1978 and served 10 consecutive terms, where the council said he was an influential leader during the Oka crisis of 1990.

The council says Two Rivers stayed active in in his later years, acting in several movies and TV shows and remaining a prominent advocate for the promotion of the Mohawk language.

In 2017, he reached an agreement to settle a lawsuit against singer Van Morrison, whom Two Rivers had accused of using his photo on an album cover without permission.

The community took to social media to share their love for the elder.

“A gentle giant, very intelligent and knowledgeable person. He was so sweet. Fly high with the eagles uncle. I’ll continue to make you proud and keep fighting the good fight,” shared his niece Melissa Montour-Lazare on Facebook.

“Such sad news. Rest In Peace Billy Two Rivers,” said former Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, on Twitter.

“Kahnawà:ke lost a great man today: Billy Two Rivers. To me he was a mentor, teacher and friend who taught me what it was to be a Mohawk leader and how to use my voice for the People,” tweeted author Taiaiake.

“My deepest condolences to Billy Two Rivers’s family and friends. I heard him deliver articulate and powerful speeches at a number of @AFN_Updates meetings. #RestInPower Billy,” shared AFN National Chief RoseAnne Archibald.