As Washington developed as a territory and state, Native Americans were central to its history.  Now, place names and historic sites mark their place in history.  Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region, is one of the best known examples. 

Seattle was founded in the 1850s and named after Chief Seattle, a leader of the Suquamish Tribe in the early 1800s. Chief Seattle was known for his courage and leadership by both Native Americans and Europeans.  His interest in European culture gained him a reputation as a friend of the whites.  He formed a personal relationship with “Doc” Maynard, a white settler and advocate of Native American rights. 

In January of 1854, Chief Seattle gave his famous speech in response to a proposed treaty presented by Territorial Governor Isaac I. Stevens asking the Native Americans to trade land for money.  While Chief Seattle agreed to go along with the treaty negotiations, others revolted.  Chief Seattle helped protect the settlers and saved Doc Maynard from an assassination attempt by another Native American.  At the urging of Doc Maynard, the settlers named their city after him. 

Another orator and famous chief from Washington State is Chief Joseph.  Chief Joseph succeeded his father as leader of a Nez Percé band after Joseph the Elder’s death in 1871.  As the number of white settlers in the land increased, Chief Joseph struggled with the federal government for the fair treatment of the Native Americans. 

In 1877, General Oliver Otis Howard threatened military action unless Chief Joseph’s band moved to a reservation in Idaho.  Chief Joseph unwillingly led his people toward Idaho.  While Chief Joseph believed military resistance was futile, twenty young Nez Percé warriors raided nearby settlements and killed several whites.  The army pursued Chief Joseph’s band, attacking them at White Bird Creek.  As a war broke out, he unsuccessfully tried to lead his people to safety in Canada.  40 miles from the Canadian border, U.S. troops cornered his band.  Chief Joseph was never a war chief, but his widely spread surrender speech has immortalized him as a military leader.  He spent the rest of his life fighting for the rights of Native Americans.  

Spokane Garry was another “peace chief” among the Native Americans of Washington State.  Born in the early 1800s, Spokane Garry grew up around white traders and was also taught at the Anglican Mission School in Winnipeg, Canada.  While he realized the danger in the growing numbers of the white men, he was unafraid of them and accepted the Christian teachings.  With the help of his friend Kootenai Pelly, Spokane Garry spread Christianity among the Spokane and Nez Percé tribes. 

As Spokane Garry became older, he received much respect from both his own people and the white settlers in the area.  While he worked for peace between his people and the settlers, he also strived for the fair treatment of his people.  He tried to make a treaty with Governor Stevens for a reservation along the Spokane River.  But the land was too valuable to the white settlers, and each time the U.S. government denied his request. 

In 1888, white men took illegal possession of Spokane Garry’s farm.  The last years of his life were spent homeless and broke.  By 1891, he was too ill to work.  Spokane Garry died the following year, holding his prayer book and Bible.