Poster - Tadadaho: Circa Ninth Century AD

Oren Lyons ©1976

Printed on archival quality, acid-free paper

The epic story of the founding of the Haudenosaunee and the Great Law of Peace requires days to recount. The five nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca constituted the original union based upon the principles of peace, equity for the people and the power of the Good Mind - to be of one mind united for the common good. This principle is inclusive of all life and the natural world.

The Great Peacemaker and his Onondaga Partner Hianwenta (commonly known as Hiawatha) bypassed Onondaga in their original journey to unite the five warring nations in his quest for peace because of the evil, destructive power of their leader Tadadaho.

He was misshapen by his evil-ness almost beyond recognition as a human being. He lived in the swamp. His voice and power terrorized the people into submission through fear and anxiety.

After gaining support from the other four nations,the Peacemaker turned his attention to Onondaga and this evil being. His attempts to penetrate the swamp were met with derisive laughter, great winds, storms and phenomenal events that defeated the Peacemaker’s mission.

He then sent runners to summon Jagonsasa, the woman who had hosted his first night as he awaited the Mohawk leaders’ answer to his request to meet.

When she arrived, she said that song kept recurring in her mind. She offered that song to the Peacemaker and his union of leaders. They approached the lair of the evil being singing the song. The power of their unified voices singing this song drew Tadadaho from the swamp. As he came forward, struggling against the power of the song, 

Oren Lyons, faithkeeper, Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation, Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs, Haudenosaunee, is an internationally recognized leader on indigenous rights and environmental justice, and a renowned artist.

SCW has partnered with Oren to make available archival quality, acid-free prints of four of his iconic paintings. Each print is available framed (FP code) by our professional framer, Lisa.