A scholarship has been set up in memory of Jesse Deer.A scholarship has been set up in memory of Jesse Deer. (Eastern Door/CBC)

The Mohawk community of Kahnawake, south of Montreal, is in mourning following Tuesday's death of K-103 radio personality Jesse Deer from complications of the swine flu.

Deer, 23, was diabetic and had been in hospital suffering from the flu and pneumonia.

Deer, also known as “Big Sexy,” co-hosted the afternoon drive show on the radio station. He also wrote for the community newspaper The Eastern Door, and worked for the television channel Mohawk TV.

Funeral services for Deer were held Friday in Kahnawake.

Peter Deer said he hopes his brother’s death will push members of the Mohawk community to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.

Deer said his brother was planning to be vaccinated the day he went into the hospital.

“Everybody [asks] me ‘how are you? If you need anything ask me’,” said Deer. “I say the only thing I need from you is to get your shot.”

Deer’s mother, Suzie Curotte, said she doesn’t know what she will do without her eldest son.

“He's my everything,” she said. “He's the only one that could make me laugh.”

Deer’s death has been a reminder to the community of how serious the swine flu is, said Steve Bonspiel, editor of the Eastern Door.

"We knew how serious H1N1 was, but since this, the people that did get a shot are happy they did because they know that this has hit us in our backyard now," Bonspiel said.

Five of Kahnawake’s media outlets including the Eastern Door and K-103 have set up a scholarship in Deer’s memory. The scholarship will be presented to a student pursuing post-secondary media-related studies.

Deer would have celebrated his 24th birthday on Thursday.

For more information about the Jesse Deer Memorial Media Scholarship contact: Regan Jacobs (Mohawk TV), 450-632-6397; Gene Diabo (KTV), 450-632-7500 ext 2254; Joe Delaronde (K103), 450-632-7500; Greg Horn (Iori:wase), GregH@kahnawakenews.com; Steve Bonspiel (Eastern Door), 450-635-3050.