A Panel on "Chief Seattle and the Town That Took His Name"

The Seattle Public Library - Author Readings and Library Events

This is the first thorough historical account of Chief Seattle and his times--the story of a half-century of tremendous flux, turmoil, and violence, during which a Native American war leader became an advocate for peace and strove to create a successful hybrid racial community.Chief Seattle was a powerful representative, having gained power and prominence on Puget Sound as a war leader. Over time, he came to embrace white settlement and, following traditional native practice, encouraged intermarriage between native people and the settlers, offering his own daughter and granddaughters as brides, in the hopes that both peoples would prosper. Topics for discussion may include the treaty signings that would remove the natives from their historic lands, the roles of such figures as Governor Isaac Stevens, Chiefs Leschi and Patkanim, the Battle at Seattle that threatened the existence of the settlement, and the controversial Chief Seattle speech that haunts to this day the city that bears his name.Cecile Ann Hansen -- a descendant within the family of Chief Si 'ahl ("Chief Seattle") -- has served as the elected chair of the Duwamish people since 1975.David S. Buerge has been a teacher, historian, and writer. He is an alum of the University of Washington and the Peace Corps. He has published fourteen books of history and biography.A native of Washington State, Dr. Nile Thompson is a linguist and anthropologist. Since 1973 he has been involved in recording and preserving the American Indian languages and knowledge of traditional cultures of the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. David Brewster is a journalist and civic entrepreneur. He was founder, editor, and publisher of the "Seattle Weekly" and "EastsideWeek."