Chief Seattle Project

Chief Seattle‘s Beginning
He was born in 1786 on Blake Island. He’s given name was See-Yahtlh or Sealth. His mothers name was Wood-Sho-Lit-Sha she grew up in the Duwamish tribe. His fathers name was Schweabe and he was the leader of the Suquamish tribe. Sealth as a young warrior was known for his courage, daring and leadership. These traits would help him to precede his father and become chief of the Suquamish tribe at a young age. Sealth had two wives in his life. His first wife La Dalia died while giving birth to his 1st daughter, Kikisoblu. She was the most famous of the 8. His next wife was named Olahl and she gave birth to three sons and fours daughters. His children made him want to be a stronger man so he thought believing in god would help. He was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church, and given the baptismal name Noah .Stealth was a very spiritual man both in the Indian world and the white men’s world. He would soon hold great power over his people

Chief Seattle’s Life
Chief Seattle was known for many things such as a great hunter and a spiritual leader of his tribe. He stared hunting at a young age his dad just thought that he was responsible enough to take him out to go hunting. His dad handed him a rifle and told him to be calm and try not to make noise. Chief Seattle was very nervous. Then right in front of him was a deer he took a shot. Then the deer jolted and his dad took the shoot and got it. Chief Seattle was mad he didn’t get it. His dad was still very proud of him. After that day Chief Seattle practiced and got very good. One night he came back with a deer, his dad was amazed that his son had just shot a deer. Of course they enjoyed that meal. Chief Seattle was hunting since that day and was very good at hunting. He and his tribe would get lots of elk, deer and pheasant. His tribe members were very good hunters, they could hit a deer from 45 yards away. They all enjoyed eating that meat.

Important People
Chief Seattle had many important people in his life. One of the most important people was a doctor named Davis Maynard. Maynard established the settlers support for Sealth’s people and made peaceful relations with the tribes. He also later persuaded the government to allow Sealth to remove his father’s longhouse on Agate Passage. Seattle was the one who convinced Maynard to establish a trading store at Alki Point. He was an Indian agent and trader. He also renamed the city of Seattle after Chief Seattle as a tribute to him.After his enterprise successfully took off Maynard wanted to change the name from Duwamps (after the Duwamish tribe) to Seattle. The Seattle’s culture did not allow this but his displeasure was lessened with money and influence. Without Maynard Seattle would not be who he was. There were others that influenced his life in another way. One of these main people was Governor Isaac Stevens. Stevens wanted the Native American land and Chief Seattle was the negotiator. Seattle was only going to willingly give up the land with certain boundaries and fought for his people. All in all it was Stevens and those of the government authority who caused Seattle’s death and suffering.

Chief Seattle’s Last Days
Chief Seattle’s grave is located in Suquamish. It looks out over the bay of Puget Sound. Chief Seattle wanted his grave the way it is right know. At his last potlatch in 1862 he gave away few things he had: old cloths, a horseshoe, a Muleshoe, fishhook, gunny sacks, tin can, boxes, food and knickknacks. He spent his time leading prayers. He also acted as a judge in tribal councils. He generally wore old pants, a shirt, and Hudson’s Bay blanket. On special occasions he wore a frock coat and a stovepipe hat. He died on June 7, 1866. His funeral was attended by a large number of Indians. Also alot of sympathetic white men. The letters I.H.S where inscribed in his tombstone. They stand for Latin “in hoc spirtus” Which means “I have suffered”.

His Speech
Chief Seattle was best known for his speech. His famous speech was brought forward by the proposal of the treaty by Isaac Stevens. He asked all his Indian tribes to sign the treaty and move to a reservation but demanded that it guarantee full access to the Native burial grounds. He believed that if they didn’t move they would die protecting their land. “ We know that the white man does not understand our ways. One portion of land is the same to him as it is the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land what he needs. The Earth is not his brother, but his enemy. When he has conquered it, he moves on. He leaves his fathers graves and his children’s birthright is forgotten.” This was a fragment of his speech. The speech helped many people through this. Chief Seattle fought for his people although many of them died from disease and starvation, he still fought and suffered. He gave up everything he had and still served on the tribal council. His speech is widely known and helped make Seattle what it is today.