Lead discussion

Chief Seattle’s 1854 Oration Summary The article of discussion is called, “ Chief Seattle’s 1854 Oration” version written by Chief Seattle of Indian-Americans. The article of discussion was a speech written by the above named chief as he was protesting to some changes that the European settlers brought to American natives. The arrival of Europeans in America pushed the Native Americans to the west hence facing opposition and demise. The presence of Europeans and their activities in America negatively influenced the natives and they started suffering from epidemic diseases and thousand lost lives. On the other hand, the Euro-Americans benefited from the regions where the Indian- Americans left as they were pushed to the west. The whole scenario outraged the natives because the Euro-Americans saw them as inferior and they started to treat the environment in a way that the natives did not like. Moreover, Indian-Americans were persuaded to give land to Euro-Americans and US government at a low amount by signing a treaty.
Therefore, “ The Chief Seattle’s of 1854 Oration” is a lamentation speech because the Indian-Americans were given a raw deal. The treaty led to scattering of Native Americans since they surrendered their land to the superior white race. This was believed to extinct most of the natives. Because of this, the chief Seattle tries to persuade the Americans to treat the natives with utmost respect because they were feeling the effects of harsh living conditions to places they were pushed.
Main claims
One is that the white chief does not need the friendships of the natives. This is elaborated in the quote, “ The white chief says that Big Chief at Washington sends us greetings of friendship and goodwill. This is kind of him for we know he has little need of our friendship in return”.
Natives do not have rights as evident in the quote, “ for the Red Man no longer has rights that he need respect”
Key supporting points
“ Day and night cannot dwell together”
“ Our good father in Washington–for I presume he is now our father as well as yours”
“ We will ponder your proposition and when we decide we will let you know”
Unfamiliar words/phrases
Red Man- the Red Indians or Indians-Americans
Our departed braves- the forefathers
White man-European settlers to America or colonizers
Discussion questions
Why did the Native Americans not resist the land treaty?
Was the Chief Seattle’s 1854 oration successful to persuade the euro-Americans to secure them and return land?
Talking points for classroom discussion
The euro-Americans took advantage of their superiority to colonize and push natives from their land
It was difficult for the colonizers to bring back land because that was their mission and it was accomplished
Reflection on the difficulties reading this material and what learnt
Relating some subjects with the main discussion was difficult and took me much time to know their meaning. For instance, “ Day and night cannot dwell together” was used to show disparity between natives and colonizers because they cannot stay together.
What to learn from other students
I expect other student to tell me what they think about the actions of colonizers towards the natives.
Work Cited
Smith, Entry. ” CHIEF SEATTLES 1854 ORATION”. 1887 Online
http://www. halcyon. com/arborhts/chiefsea. html