Chief Seattle

Chief Seattle (an Anglicization of Si’ahl) was born in 1780 on Blake Island in Washington State. Seattle’s father was the chief of the Dkhw’Duw’Absh (Duwamish) tribe, a title he later inherited. He began earning a reputation as a leader and a warrior at a young age, attacking other tribes and raiders. Seattle was also known for being a great orator and his voice is said to have carried a distance of ¾ miles. Seattle was accommodating toward white settlers and the city of Seattle was named after him, thanks to his friendly relationship with one of the city’s primary founders, Doc Maynard. Chief Seattle died in 1866, on the Suquamish reservation in Port Madison, Washington.