HENRY, BEN, LEROY, LOREEN

Ben, Loreene & Leroy HENRY – Stone Sculptors

Ben Henry, Tay Hon Die Ta (Piercing Heaven), was born January 18, 1950 into the Onondaga Tribe, a member of the Deer Clan. He is a traditionalist which means that he is not a member of the band, observes the old traditions and teachings and does not accept government funding. He moved to St. Catherines from Ohsweken at age seven. Ben moved back to Ohsweken in his early teens, worked as a steel worker on high rises and eventually established his own construction company. He started wood carving at seventeen and changed to steatite (commonly referred to as soapstone)in 1982. He is self-taught and his works have been featured in shows since 1984.
We also carry some works by Ben’s family.

Loreene Henry, Kau Win Eh’ Ta (Gliding Canoe), was born into the Cayuga Nation, a member of the Turtle Clan. Her sculptures deal with family life and the role of the women in the tribe, especially the Three Sisters, Sky Woman and the Mother and Daughter. Women are life givers, spiritual advisers, political counsellors and healers. This is symbolized in the faces of the women.

Loreene started carving in 1978, taught by her husband Ben. She does corporate orders, achievement awards, wedding gifts, retirement awards, and custom requests. She created the sculptures given for The Women of Excellence Awards in London Ontario. Loreene is exhibited in museums, galleries and private collections nationally and internationally. She lives near Ohsweken, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario.

Leroy Henry, WAH Ke’ (Coming to See Someone), born in 1974, is a member of the Cayuga Nation, and the Turtle Clan. He is the son on Ben and Loreene. He started carving when he was ten years old and has achieved recognition for his sculptures which are exhibited in museums, galleries and private collections nationally and internationally.

Leroy had created sculptures for corporate clients, achievement awards, wedding gifts, retirement gifts and custom orders. He lives near Ohsweken, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario, continuing a proud tradition.