After a long wait, Starz’s Outlander Season 7 Part 2 finally premiered on November 22, 2024. Episode 9, titled Unfinished Business, paid tribute to John Fadden, the Mohawk history advisor for the show.
Before the credits rolled on for the episode, a message flashed on the screen,
“In Memory of Our Friend and Colleague John Fadden.”
Talking to Decider, John Bell, who plays Young Ian Murray on the show, said:
“That’s absolutely beautiful and a fantastic recognition of his work on the show.”
This tribute has made viewers curious about John Fadden and how he is related to Outlander.
How is John Fadden connected to Outlander?
As mentioned in his obituary, John Fadden was a cultural educator and artist who was best known for his beautiful creations of fine art. In 1954, he co-founded the Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center in Onchiota, NY.
Fadden worked as an educator and not only encouraged other artists through his teaching but also was keen on keeping the Haudenosaunee culture and history alive. He joined the team of Outlander with the same passion for art in his heart.
On Outlander he helped the team with the depiction of the Mohawk, or Kanien’kehà:ka people. Because of his vast knowledge of the subject, the storyline and character of Young Ian could be depicted accurately. John Bell, (Young Ian), told Decider that Fadden’s influence bloomed his own “love of Indigenous culture.”
Before Outlander, Fadden worked as a consultant on various other projects, including shows and films produced by PBS, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic.
Also Read: Outlander Season 7 Episode 9 recap: Iseabail's grave, return to America and more
More about John Fadden's life
Born on December 26, 1938, in Massena, New York, John Fadden had a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the Rochester Institute of Technology. After completing his formal education, Fadden joined the Saranac Central School District in New York as a teacher of arts.
An artist, educator, and scholar, Fadden continued teaching till he retired in 1994. Over the long period of his professional life, he came to be known as an artist who gave “visual sense to the resurgence of [the] Mohawk culture.”
On August 12, 2022, Fadden took his last breath at the age of 83 after a brief period of being ill. He spent the final few years of his life with his family in Onchiota. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Eva, their three sons, grandchildren, and extended family.
Following his demise, his legacy and memories have been celebrated by many in different ways. Doug George-Kanentiio, the editor of Akwesasne Notes and an ex-member of the Board of Trustees for the National Museum of the American Indian said,
“I trust that the Mohawks who knew Kahionhes and those who follow will realize his importance to our history and the power of illustrative art.”
Amy Catania, executive director of Historic Saranac Lake, described Fadden as an extremely kind person.
As Outlander celebrates the life and work of Fadden through their tribute, his legacy will continue to live on in the form of all that he has created.
Outlander can be streamed on Netflix.
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