Chief Seattle, Seattle, Washington’s namesake, was born on or near Blake Island, WA in about 1780. His mother was Duwamish and his father was chief of the Suquamish tribe. Seattle, who stood at nearly six feet tall was known as “The Big One” by settlers. He was a warrior from a very young age, ambushing and defeating enemy raiders.

In later years, Seattle inherited the position as chief of the Duwamish tribe from his uncle. He forged a successful relationship with Doc Maynard, the husband of Seattle’s firstborn, Princess Angeline. Maynard was able to negotiate peaceful relations between the Duwamish and the more powerful Patkanim tribe. Seattle stood his ground and refused to move his people to the reservation for fear of bloodshed in mixing the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. Maynard persuaded the government to let him move his people to Agate Passage, his fathers house.

Speech Controversy

In March of 1854 Chief Seattle gave a captivating speech to a large outdoor gathering, called by Governor Stevens, in Seattle WA. While that part is certain, the date, location and interpretation of his speech are all uncertain. He spoke in the Lushootseed language, it was translated into Chinook and then some years later was translated into English by Dr Henry Smith based on notes. Smith even acknowledged that he had recorded “…but a fragment of his (Chief Seattle’s) speech”. The authenticity of the translation is even questioned by scholars.

In recent years, people have added even more to his speech concerning gods and the environment. In promoting their causes they have made outlandish claims as to what was said. The speech of Chief Seattle has been widely cited in Pronouncing Chief Seattle’s Name 2003-2007 as “powerful, bittersweet plea for respect of Native American rights and environmental values”, but there is no evidence that he even spoke on those subjects.

With the environmental movement well underway the environmentalists have, in addition to rewording the speeches of our US Presidents, went so far as to rewrite a famous Indian chief’s speech. We have seen this before, especially in regards to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.