TOW #11: Chief Seattle's “Oration of 1854”

Chief Seattle was a native man who was wise and led his people with great soul. Governor Stevens came to his land and said that he was now in charge of the Indian affairs. He gave a speech describing his plan for the Indians and Chief Seattle gave this speech in response.

In his speech, he mainly uses compare and contrast to emphasize the differences between the white man and the natives as well as to educate the Governor about his people and their lifestyle. He says in the beginning how there are “hostilities between the red man and his pale-face brothers” to create labels for them based on race (6). All of the contrasts said after stem from their race. Not only are white men more populated but have a God that “cannot love his red children” (9). The Chief continuously argues that their God hates his people and only loves his white children. Therefore, they “are two distinct races and must remain so” (10). The paragraphs full of contrast show not only how many differences there are but show that the native people are not going to be so simply accepting of the proposal presented to them by the white man.

Chief Seattle also continues to educate the white man about his people and religion so they have a better understanding of who they are before they agree to give up land. The native people’s land is sacred to them and they value every inch of it unlike the white man. He says, “The ashes of our ancestors are sacred and their final resting place is hallowed ground, while you wander away from the tombs of your father’s seemingly without regret” (10). Chief Seattle believes that their lives are very different and wants the white man to understand how they live, approach religion, and how they worship and treat the dead because they are values and concepts not adopted by the white man. Chief Seattle makes remarks about their culture and way of life so the white man can do with the land as the original owners (the natives) wanted and intended the land to be like. Their values are strong and they hold true to them.

At the end of the speech he makes a final remark about the potential result of agreeing to the proposition. He says that the natives want the white man to understand that the “white man will never be alone” (20). Chief Seattle makes it clear that they take pride in their ancestors and they stay with them in their burial ground. The white man cannot remove what was already left their by the natives and no matter what they cannot change that.