The World of Chief Seattle: How Can One Sell the Air?

Chief Seattle is renowned for an eloquent speech, commonly referred to as How Can One Sell the Air?, given during 1854 treaty negotiations with the U.S. government. This speech is testimony of a people of intelligence and sensitivity. Here is an accurate portrait of the tribes of the Puget Sound area during Seattle's times, with particular emphasis on Chief Seattle's tribe, the Suquamish. The author interviewed Suquamish elders and was granted access to the tribal archives, which supplied many…