Chief Seattle Days was established in 1911 to honor Chief Seattle, the famous leader of the Suquamish Indians, and for whom the City of Seattle is named. The first celebration was started, on the current Celebration Grounds, by local Tribal and community residents, and by civic leaders from the City of Seattle. At that time, the new town of Suquamish was linked to Seattle by foot passenger ferries, which allowed city residents to travel across Puget Sound to enjoy the one-day celebration. Many of the same activities from the 1911 celebration are still featured today, including: the Indian salmon bake, native canoe Races, baseball, drumming and dancing, and the “Memorial Service to Chief Seattle” at his gravesite. Since that time, other events have been added to the celebration such as, The Coastal Jam, a Pow-wow with competition dancing and drumming, A Parade, Fun Runs, Fire Works Display, craft & Food vendor booths and a royalty pageant.
Schedule (2010):
Canoe Races
The eleven-man canoe races are featured in this favorite traditional sporting activity of the “Coast Salish” tribes (including Suquamish, Lummi, Swinomish, Skokomish, and eastern Vancouver Island tribes) and coastal tribes (such as Makah). The dugout canoes are carved from cedar trees, and range in size from 10 to over 50 feet. Racing begins at about 1:00pm on Saturday and noon on Sunday. The race format includes 11, 6, doubles, and singles categories for men, women, and youth. Prize awards will total about $10,000.
Powwow
The Powwow has been a major feature of Chief Seattle Days since about 1970. Indian dancers and drummers of all ages and tribes compete in fancy and traditional dance and drum styles for cash prizes: Inter-tribal dancing begins about 12 noon on Saturday, with Grand Entry at 1:00pm, with competition dancing following. On Sunday, Inter-tribal dancing begins about 11 am and Grand-Entry at 12 noon, with competition pow-wow dancing until 5:30pm. Prize money totals $5000.
Fire Works Display
The show will be at dusk Friday and Saturday evenings.
Arts & Crafts
Indian arts and crafts of many tribes, and from all regions of the country, are displayed and sold during Chief Seattle Days. Booth spaces with items other then Indian arts are also featured. The booths are generally open from Friday afternoon to 11Pm, 10Am-10Pm Saturday and 10Am-6Pm Sunday.
Fun Run
The Fun Run Starts at 10AM the route will be marked.
The Elders will be on the Parade grounds in front of the Welcoming House also at 10AM.
Indian Art Show
New for next year (2011) we will be hosting an art show featuring Local and west coast native artists at the Welcoming House.
Baseball Tourney
The 3-day Baseball Tournament is in keeping with a tradition that was started at the first Chief Seattle Days in 1911. Charles Deam Jr. is in charge of this event - call 360-598-3311for info.
Canoe Journey Honoring
This event is to Honor the 2010 Canoe Journey participants and Leaders.
Chief Seattle Days Royalty Pageant
The Royalty Pageant will be held at the Celebration Grounds on Friday, August 20th at 6:00pm to select the 2010 “Miss Chief Seattle Days”, who will represent Chief Seattle Days and the Suquamish Tribe through-out the year. The Current Royalty and Contestants will leave the Suquamish Tribes “Old Man Park” at 5pm via Traditional Canoe. Contestants are chosen on poise, knowledge of Tribal history, on their regalia, and His or Her desire to represent Chief Seattle Days and The Suquamish Tribe. Contestants are of Suquamish ancestry. They are judged by a panel of Tribal elders and other officials.
Coastal Jam
The “Coastal Jam” will be held following the Royalty Pageant on Friday, August 20th, at 8:00pm on the Celebration Grounds in Suquamish, sponsored by the Suquamish Youth Council.
Memorial Service to Chief Seattle
This ceremonial tribute to Chief Seattle, started in 1911 at the first Chief Seattle Days, has continued since then. This service will be held on Saturday, August 21st, at 9:00am at Chief Seattle’s gravesite in the St. Peter’s Church cemetery in Suquamish. The service is hosted by the Suquamish Tribal Elders. Everyone is welcome to attend this tribute to a great and respected Indian leader.
Parade
The Chief Seattle Days Parade is in its Eighth year and is becoming a great tradition. Veterans, Auto clubs, Local school groups, Royalty, Canoe Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Families, Individuals and any whom would like to participate are invited. Just meet at the staging area (Suquamish Shell Parking lot by the Suquamish Police Station) at10 AM the parade starts at 11AM.
The “Chief Seattle Days” Post Office
The Suquamish Post Office sponsors this one day “Chief Seattle Days” Post Office, which features a “special cancel” for any items, mailed on this day. This special collector’s cancel will be available from 10:00 am until about 4:00pm at the Information booth Saturday, August 15th, 2010. (Contact: Suquamish Post Office/360.598.4200).
Indian Salmon Bake
Since 1911, the best baked salmon in the world! Is carefully prepared and cooked by Members of the Suquamish Tribe. The Sockeye salmon is baked over an alder wood fire. With all proceeds to benefit the prize monies for the canoe races and the powwow. The Chief Seattle Days committee operates the salmon bake. Salmon dinners are priced at just $9.00 for Adults and $6.00 for seniors/children.
Menu: Salmon Baked red potatoes, Corn, “Kiana” Cole Slaw, Baked beans and bread (Roll or Pachata Bread).
Chief Seattle Days Is a non-profit event sponsored by the Suquamish Indian Tribe. For further information call (360) 598-3311, (360)434-4780 or FAX (360)598-3135.