Tadodaho

Who is Tadodaho?

Tadodaho was a Native American and sachem of the Onondaga nation before the Iroquois League was formed by Deganawidah and Hiawatha. According to oral tradition, he had extraordinary characteristics and was widely feared but he was persuaded to support the confederacy of the Five Nations.

His name has since been used as the term, Tadodaho, to refer to the chief chosen to preside over the Grand Council of the Iroquois League. By tradition, as the Onondaga are the "keepers of the council fire", the chief is chosen from that nation. The position is the most influential Iroquois chief in New York State, where the Six Nations confederacy historically had the most influence. This meaning of the term has been used for centuries.