TEHANETORENS, the man, has a nature of volatile compassion. Surely, he is a legend among the forest animals whom he feeds and cares for, decade after decade. His enemies are cruelty and lies, hunters and malicious authors. He cares little for fame and glory; his cares are Earth, Life, and Peace. For a time, TEHANETORENS was the sole steward and firekeepers of the Eastern Door. He harboured and nurtured within his being the last embers of Peacemaker's timeless Council Fires that had all but vanished at Akwesasne. From the doors of his classrooms came leaders and men, Clan Mothers and children who beat within their breasts the spirit and blood that fueled the rebirth of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne.

The SIX NATIONS MUSEUM (built by his own labor) in Onchiota, N.Y. stands a monument to the democratic principles and culture that was spawned and channeled by the genius of the PEACEMAKER. The museum is literally filled to the rafters with Six Nations History. It contains Iroquoian artifacts, beaded record belts, wampum belts, pamphlets, charts, posters, books and cultural objects of nearly every description imaginable. Many of these objects were fashioned by his own hands and talent. TEHANETORENS has also amassed a wealth of historical information painstakingly compiled by himself throughout his life. He corrects misinformed, misleading, and malicious texts published about Indians in general.

Yet , with all of the museum's awesome beauty and contents considered, the most important and profound aspect of the SIX NATIONS MUSEUM remains TEHANETORENS himself. Visitors of his museum receive much more than a casual tour of the premises. Upon entry through the gift shop, one is cordially invited to be seated on one of the many Longhouse style benches. He proceeds to read a beaded pictograph record belt concerned with the story of the migration and trials of the Iroquois people. This is what he deems his first message. By itself, his first message is an interesting historical record, but if enough interest is apparent in his audience, TEHANETORENS delivers his second message which delves into considerable depth with the Indian contributions to the world. It includes everything from popcorn to rubber, and Indian Nations from the Inca to the Mohawks.

TEHANETORENS delivers his messages with dramatic authority tempered by his pleasant witicisms. If the interest is great enough and the situation warranting, he will unleash his third and final message that quite frankly sometimes disturbs the more delicate and patriotic American ego. He strips away the veil of lies and half-truths that makes American history palatable to the average American conscience. He reveals the undenatured truth of the treatment that this continent's Native people received from American and Canadian Governments and its people. He emphasizes not only past history but the present as well. His oratory is a comparative discourse that spans pre-contact Europe and North American pre-Columbian histories.

TEHANETORENS paints not a pretty picture. One senses from him an anger at injustice and atrocities committed against his people. Yet there is also an underlying sadness, a desperate, even fearful sorrow about him as he speaks of the ravaged forests, dead polluted waters, and whole species of life slaughtered into extinction.

TEHANETORENS cares for life. His love and compassion reaches into the forest and sustains a failing planet.

TEHANETORENS, you shall be forever remembered to the Peacemaker, Niawen.