Paro was born into slavery in Alabama. He was the son of William and Affie Bruner, both slaves of Tom Bruner. He was brought to Indian Territory during the years of Removal. Former slave of Creek Indian named Wash Barnett. Full brother of Caesar Bruner of the Seminole Nation. Paro Bruner was married to Aggie Laudrum (Creek Freedman Dawes roll #2).
After slavery was abolished Paro Bruner became a prominent Creek leader by serving as an elected Creek Council member in the House of Warriors for many years.
He represented the Canadian Colored Tribal Town as Town King. He was also founder of the Prairie's Edge Settlement, which is now part of the Holdenville Community in Oklahoma. He was involved in various aspects of tribal affairs of the Creek Nation, and like his brother Caesar in the Seminole Nation, he was a man of influence.
He often pressed for more legislation regarding relations of the tribe with the US government, but he also involved himself with issues as they affected African Creeks as well.
Paro worked with other African Creek leaders such as Monday Durant, illustrating how schools for Creek Freedmen were often allocated less than schools for citizens designated as people "by blood". This act alone did result in the tribe allocating $3000 for the establishment of a boarding school for Creek Freedmen children. In addition, Freedmen neighborhood day schools were also established in Freedmen communities.
Thanks to the efforts of Paro Bruner, along with other leaders, literacy and other opportunities opened up for Freedmen in the Creek Nation.
Paro Bruner was a man of influence who strongly believed in the importance of education.
Threads of Untold History