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Mohawk Ideals, Victorian Values: Oronhyatekha

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) features a look into the life of an extraordinary individual who surmounted the commonplace racial barriers of the 19th century to become a remarkable figure in Canadian history. Mohawk Ideals, Victorian Values: Oronhyatekha M.D. presents a retrospective on Dr. Oronhyatekha (1841-1907, pronounced oron-ya-TEK-a), a Mohawk scholar who likely became the first Native medical doctor in Canada, and then made his mark on Victorian society by becoming a well-respected and successful businessman. Never forsaking his heritage, he used his considerable influence in a predominantly white Victorian society not only to promote communications between the First Nations and the rest of Canada, but also to champion the rights of women, children, and minorities. Artifacts and memorabilia commemorating his life and achievements will be displayed in the ROM's Gallery of Indigenous Peoples, from March 2 until August 4, 2002.

The exhibit will include over 110 items from the original Oronhyatekha Collection from the ROM's Canadiana, Ethnology, European, New World Archaeology and Textile sections. Many of these objects were collected during Dr. Oronhyatekha's travels around the world and displayed at the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) headquarters at Bay and Richmond Streets in Toronto until his death in 1907. Also included will be artifacts and memorabilia from Six Nations at Brantford, the Woodland Cultural Centre and Tyendinaga (a Mohawk community east of Belleville, on the Bay of Quinte). A featured artifact will be the suit Oronhyatakha wore when he made his diplomatic address to the Prince of Wales in 1860.

"The Oronhyatekha collection is one of the founding collections of the Royal Ontario Museum," explains Senior Curator Trudy Nicks of the ROM's Ethnology department. "It was donated by the Independent Order of Foresters. The collection created by Dr. Oronhyatekha includes some of the most significant pieces of 19th century Great Lakes First Nations material in the ROM's collections." The ROM is pleased to be in partnership with the Woodland Cultural Centre for this exhibition, continuing its long tradition of working with First Nations to showcase Native Canadian art and culture.

During his life, Oronhyatekha (meaning "Burning Sky"), was a tireless proponent of Iroquois sovereignty at a time when indigenous cultures were generally thought to be dying out. Dr. Oronhyatekha, also known by his baptized Christian name of Peter Martin, pursued a higher education despite the racial challenges which might have denied him this privilege. After attending Kenyon College in Ohio, he returned to teach at Tyendinaga and was chosen in 1860, at the age of nineteen, to present the welcoming address to the Prince of Wales on behalf of Six Nations.

In 1862, Oronhyatekha briefly attended St. Edmund Hall at Oxford University, and in 1866, he became one of the first individuals of Native ancestry to graduate from the University of Toronto's medical school. In 1867, he established his first medical practice in Napanee, and in 1872, Dr. Oronhyatekha became Chairman of the Grand Indian Council, an association of reserves in Ontario and Quebec. He frequently lobbied for change in legislation to lend support to the Native Peoples in Canada.

In 1878 he joined the IOF, a fraternal life insurance company, and in 1881 became the first elected Supreme Chief Ranger of that organization. In his 26 years as CEO, he expanded the IOF base throughout Europe, Australia, and the U.S. His remarkable success in Victorian society was founded on the characteristic Mohawk values in which he believed, such as the principle of reciprocity between people and the institutions they create.

In 1904 Dr. Oronhyatekha created an orphanage on an island on the Bay of Quinte. Called extravagant and excessive, the orphanage opened up for operations in 1906, and although it closed a year later, Dr. Oronhyatekha considered it to be the crowning achievement of his lifetime. The good doctor passed away in 1907, with the legacy of a man who inhabited two worlds, drawing strength and forging an identity in both.

Mohawk Ideals, Victorian Values: Oronhyatekha M.D. is organized by the Woodland Cultural Centre, Brantford, in collaboration with the Royal Ontario Museum. The next exhibition to be displayed in the Gallery of Indigenous Peoples is Tuugaaq: Ivory Sculptures from the Eastern Canadian Arctic, scheduled to open in October 2002.

 

 

Issue date:
January 14, 2002

For more information:
Media Relations
Tel.: 416.586.5547
Fax: 416.586.8022
E-mail: media@rom.on.ca

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