How Can One Sell The Air? : Chief Seattle's Vision

by Chief Seattle, Eli Gifford (Editor), R. Michael Cook (Editor)

We know that Native Americans have a long history of understanding the relationship between humans and the earth. Chief Seattle's eloquent plea to respect "the Sacred Web of Life" has become an inspiration to many.

But what did Chief Seattle really say? Our research led us to the version the Suquamish elders from Seattle's tribe include in their oral tradition, published in this new edition with two popular twentieth century adaptations. A section of historical background explains the evolution of the speech and clears up the recent controversy surrounding its authenticity.

It is our hope that this book will accurately present the vision of Chief Seattle and his desire for all people to live in harmony with each other and the earth.

[back cover text]

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Native American

80 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1993

About the author

Chief Seattle lived from approximately 1790 to 1866, in the Pacific Northwest region of what is now the United States. He was a chief of the Suquamish and the Duwamish and was present at treaty negotiations that took place with the white settlers in the 1850s. It was at one of these negotiations that Chief Seattle delivered a speech in his native tongue, a speech that has since—in a variety of forms—served as the basis of ecological movements around the world.

Reviews

[Katie Bliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we read more about the NW’s indigenous tribes, we’ve heard plenty about the promises and treaties made by Isaac Stevens to various tribes in 1854 and how these promises went unmet. This was an interesting supplement, hearing the most accurate representation of chief Seattle’s extremely beautiful, well-composed, poetic speech of response to the offer given. It showed his pride and appreciation of his people and land, but seemed resigned to the idea of selling, moving in, even depleting his tribe and allowing the white man to multiply.

“But why should I mourn the passing of my people? Tribes are made of men, nothing more. Men come and go, like the waves of the sea. A tear, a prayer to the Great Spirit, a dirge, and they are gone from our longing eyes forever.

Even the white man, whose god walked and talked with him as friend to friend, cannot be exempt from the common destiny. We may be brothers after all. We shall see.”

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to see different records of this speech and to get background information and context.

[Benjamin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving and poetic speech given by Chief Seattle that every single human being on the planet can learn from. I hope we all can get to where his mind and soul are.

[Annapurna Holtzapple · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to discuss this with somebody -- the white/English/settler translation of this speech & all of its historical context.

[Flex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two amazing speeches, although sealths Christianity and some parts of his ideology strike me as things influenced by settlerism in a fogging way

[jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

printed with soy based ink on recycled paper.

comprising of three versions of the same speech, altered by those who had control of the narrative. beautifully illustrated, presented and made.

[Kira · Rating 2 out of 5]

A really neat read on some of the history of the indigenous peoples on the now-Pacific Northwest, but lots of cringe reading this coming from a white settler. The speech and its translations/interpretations were v interesting and I am excited to discuss w/ AP!!!