CHIEF SEATTLE DAYS 2011
August 19th, 20th & 21st
The 101st Chief Seattle Days will be held at the House of Awakened Culture in downtown Suquamish, Washington. The third weekend of August is reserved for this annual celebration. There is no admission charge and everyone is welcome. Celebration activities are intended for the young and old alike. The Suquamish Indian Tribe sponsors Chief Seattle Days, with additional support from Port Madison Enterprises, The Suquamish Clear Water Casino and area businesses. The celebration is staffed and supported by over 100 volunteers.
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.