Chief Seattle
Topic: Settler Colonialism: Native Peoples of America and Australia · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 6 "Displacing Indigenous Peoples"
Meaning
Chief Seattle was a Native American leader. He is remembered for his 1854 letter to the US President, who wanted to buy his people's land. The letter sums up the native view that land, air and water are sacred and cannot be owned or sold. It stands against the settlers' habit of buying and selling everything. The city of Seattle keeps his name.
Example
In his 1854 letter, Chief Seattle asked: 'How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land?' He also said: 'Every part of the earth is sacred to my people.'
Related concepts
- Cherokee
- Worcester v Georgia
- Indian Removal Act 1830
- Trail of Tears
- Indian reservations
- American Indian Wars
- Wounded Knee Massacre 1890