At the Mohawk Institute, Oronhyatekha learned to read and write, and received training as a cobbler. When he left the Institute, he began working on a piecework basis for a local shoemaker. However, the owner failed to pay him after three months, provoking Oronhyatekha to quit the job and the trade.

Cobbler Tools: Last and Stand, Iron 980.016.052-054. Glanmore National Historic Site and Museum, Belleville, Ontario