Billy Haduwentha’ Logan Biography

Haudenosaunee, Onondaga turtle clan artist; Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA) Compliant.

Specializing in woodcarving and wood arts. Over 30 years in the arts Billy brings his experience with his cultural learning infused with the modern art experience.

Using Eastern Woodlands raised beadwork for a major influence for designs, he uses pyrography to apply floral designs which makes his signature work tie into his cultural heritage.

Turtle Island Warclubs

These warclubs vary in sizes and styles. but each warclub is worked by hand with a combination of modern and traditional woodworking tools. The origins of these warclubs vary from utilitarian to ceremonial & from traditional to contemporary. These works can vary from several categories including: gunstock warclubs, ballhead warclubs, and warrior hatchets.

Gunstock warclubs

look like a conventional gunstock, but have usually have a blade on the top end of the headstock. Many people relate these to the movie “Last of the Mohicans.” and they have a very distinctive appearance. This warclub has a robust historical background and has played an important role in the warrior identity,

Ballhead Warclubs

Ballhead warclubs are closely associated with the Eastern Woodlands tribes often seen as a status symbol in movies or in 1700s and 1800s photos daguerreotype photos. These can be made from rootballs of hardwood trees or the branch junctions. the appearance is mostly associated with Eastern Woodlands tribal nations.

Warrior Hatchets

Warrior hatchets are made as wall hanging artwork, a utilitarian tool or legacy item either custom designed or the design of the artist, the standard comes with Eastern Woodlands raised beadwork influenced designs via pyrography accented with complimentary color palette.

Elder Walking Sticks

Elder walking sticks are custom handcrafted and can be made to order. the design for the elder walking sticks design is dependent an the availability of the wood. there are several techniques for construction, Woodcarving and pyrography with signature Eastern Woodlands raised beadwork influenced designs. there are several examples of the walking sticks in the gallery below.

Other Artwork

Haudenosaunee Disk Artwork

Haudenosaunee Disks are made to order and are usually personalized for the client. However, we take non Native clients as well. the themes are associated with Haudenosaunee culture, but I have been requested to make artwork for other nations. I try to use basswood, but we occasionally get various hardwoods upon availability.

Wooden Carved Turtle Rattle

Turtle rattles have been used in ceremonies for over five hundred years in North America (Turtle Island) among First Nations people. Among Haudenosaunee culture, this is a powerful healing symbol and is carried within healing societies.

The turtle holds sacred and symbolic meaning in Haudenosaunee culture, for it is the turtle who offered his back for refuge to the Skywoman falling from the Skyworld to make what is known as Turtle Island. The turtle shell is also utilized as a lunar calendar for the inner plates representing the thirteen lunar months, and the outer plates represent the 28 days of the month.

Canoe or Sash Cups

These cups go back as far as the 15th century and were used as an accessory worn on the belt or sash on navigation of rivers and tributaries by natives and settler alike. When sitting in a canoe, it would be easy to dunk the cup into the water.