ABOUT THE PRINT

This educational chart was created in the mid-twentieth century by Ray Fadden, a prominent teacher, author, and influential figure among the Mohawks. Born in the Adirondack Mountains, he was adopted by the Mohawk community and was then given the name Tehanetoren, meaning “he walks through the pines.” Fadden dedicated his life to education and worked tirelessly to challenge the negative portrayals of Indigenous people. He focused on teaching Mohawk children about their Native history and cultural traditions, which were often neglected in mainstream education.

In addition to his work with youth, Fadden also wrote a series of pamphlets and educational charts to highlight the many contributions made by North American Indigenous people. The pamphlets explored a diverse abundance of topics, covering technological advancements, food systems, and democratic practices, to illustrate how Indigenous culture has shaped contemporary civilization. Fadden published Conservation as the Indian Saw It to raise awareness about the impact of European colonization on Indigenous communities.

The design of this educational chart is deliberate and meaningful. The center of the chart displays a tree of peace with an Indigenous man at the top, representing the balance between Native people and nature. Black ink on white paper allowed Fadden to emphasize the tree of peace and to represent how much the Indigenous people value the environment. The commentary surrounding the tree represents the belief that humans should live in harmony with the Earth, and explains that when the whites arrived, they disrupted this harmony. The chart depicts the disruption of Native American lives that was caused by white settlers, highlighting the exploitation of resources that were once considered sacred by Indigenous people. His powerful visual storytelling makes clear the profound impact of colonization. Through his artwork, writing, and teaching, Ray Fadden has remained a significant figure in preserving and promoting Indigenous culture and history in the Adirondack region. -Alexis Mackenzie ’28

Tehanetorens (Aren Akweks / Ray Fadden)
Conservation as the Indian Saw It, c.1940s
Black-and-white print on paper
Arthur and Shirley Einhorn Iroquois Collection, mss. 196
Special Collections
Owen D. Young Library
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY