Theme of chief Seattle's speech
Answers
heey mate..
He is famous for his speech that talked about being responsible towards the environment and respect for the land rights of his people. The speech is a powerful statement on the environment, culture, and the future of humanity. ... This is why Chief Seattle's speech is seen in such high esteem
ct Learner
Site Navigation
Chief Seattle’s Speech
Posted on June 27, 2018 by HS
Introduction
This chapter contains the very famous speech which was made by Chief Seattle, the Native American tribal leader in response to a land treaty which was proposed to him by the Governor of Washington Territory (who was sent by the President) in 1854.
Background
Chief Seattle (1786-1866) was a famous 19th century American Indian chief of the Duwamish and the Suquamish Tribe. He is also known as Sealth, Seathle, Seathl, or See-ahth. He was a prominent leader of his times. His father was from the Suquamish tribe and his mother was from the Duwamish tribe. The city Seattle (found in the state of Washington, USA) is named after him.
In his youth, Sealth made his mark as a warrior, orator and diplomat. He is much respected for his Native American wisdom and his efforts towards maintaining the ecological balance of the ancestral lands that came under his tribes’ ownership. He is famous for his speech that talked about being responsible towards the environment and respect for the land rights of his people. The speech is a powerful statement on the environment, culture, and the future of humanity.
This speech was a response to the American Government’s land treaty. The treaty offered to buy the native lands of the tribes. It was proposed by the Governor of Washington Territory. Seattle’s speech is regarded as a powerful appeal for the respect for native Americans rights and environmental values. Seattle criticized the white people’s policies and their careless development plans which affected the environment. In fact, it was one of the earliest instances where someone expressed great concern over the degradation of nature and ecological balance. He warned us against the rapid progress of western civilization and appealed for the need to protect nature. This is why Chief Seattle’s speech is seen in such high esteem. One important thing to remember, Seattle delivered the speech in his native language Lushootseed and it has been translated and rewritten by several authors since then.
Paraphrase
Chief Seattle begins by saying that the vast changeless sky that has been caring towards them for centuries, might change. Dark clouds might overcast it. But he assures his own trustworthiness by comparing his words to the stars that never change. The White Chief (the Governor) had arrived with the proposal and the message of friendship from the Big Chief (the President). Seattle says that it is very kind of the government to offer goodwill and friendship to the natives because he knows that the government has no need of the natives’ friendship. The white people are large in number; they are like the grass covering the Prairies grasslands. On the other hand, the natives are like scattered trees in a storm-swept land- very few left in number. The Governor wished to buy their land but had also offered them a little space to live comfortably. Seattle speaks of the deplorable condition of his people. He remembers that once they had filled the entire country, but now, there are only a few people left in their tribes. They are on the verge of extinction. So actually, they don’t need vast lands anymore.
[Note:- Chief Seattle begins by saying that the future of the native Americans is unsure. The dark clouds hang over it. He compares his words to the stars which never change. This means he will not change his decision in response to the Government’s proposal of the land treaty. He talks about the government’s wish to buy their land and their willingness to offer them “enough” space to live comfortably upon. The Chief Seattle says in a sarcastic tone that as it is they do not require a vast land because the natives are left so few in numbers. Students must understand the clever sarcastic attack on the government- the government was offering them a small piece of their own land. He remarks that they don’t require vast lands as their population is declining. The decline of the natives was also because of the white man.]
Chief Seattle remembers the time when his tribes were flourishing; the people grew in numbers. They were like waves that cover the “wind- ruffled sea”. But that time was long gone. The greatness of the tribes is a sad memory. Chief Seattle says that he will not mourn over it as they too have been responsible for the decay.
He talks about the follies of the younger generation who cannot control their anger and impulsiveness. Seattle criticizes the reckless manners of the young men of his own tribe. According to him, the youths should be more sensible and responsible. He hopes that the conflict between the white men and the natives doesn’t return as they would gain nothing from it and everything would be lost. Revenge by young men is often considered good. But it in reality it only leads to loss