Chief Seattle's Speech: Themes

Chief Seattle's Speech: Key Themes

Native Americans' bond with their land:

The Native Americans' connection with their land and the environment is expressed explicitly in Chief Seattle's emotionally charged speech. For the Native Americans, land is not merely a physical space; it is something holy and something alive that links them to their ancestors. The Native Americans' bond with their land is said to be so strong and deep that it lasts even after death. It is because of this bond that Chief Seattle demands that his people should be given the right to visit their ancestors' burial grounds without any restrictions, even if they sell the land to the US government.

Differences between two races:

Another theme in the speech is that of the differences between the Native Americans and the white settlers. Chief Seattle quite clearly says that the two races have "separate origins and separate destinies". They look different, as is evident from Chief Seattle's use of the terms "the Red Man" and "the White Man". Moreover, their cultural and religious practices and beliefs are distinct as well. For instance, in the white settlers' belief system, the dead leave the universe for good. In contrast, the Native Americans believe that their dead continue to love their place of origin and return to comfort and advise the living.

Helplessness of the marginalized:

In a way, the speech is also about the helplessness brought about by ruthless colonisation. Though Chief Seattle does express his willingness to consider the proposal put forward by the US government, it is clear that he has no choice but to do so. His tribe had shrunk and would be no match to the white settlers who were present in large numbers "like the grass that covers the vast prairies". Chief Seattle also makes repeated references to the "untimely decay" of his tribe, making it clear that scores of Native Americans had died unnatural deaths. He even compares the Native Americans' condition to that of a wounded doe's which has no hope of escaping. from its hunter.