Chief Seattle, 1786-1866, was Northwest coast Indian of the Suquami tribe and should give name to the city of Seattle. He played an important part of the whites peace treaties. As a prelude to negotiating treaties with the United States, he delivered a speech to Governor Stevens in 1854 and it is this speech that is called "Chief Seattle's speech."Chief Seattle's beautiful speech from 1854 have through the ages been interpreted and construed in many ways. Here you have the opportunity to read the speech in its two main versions. Ted Perrys version of the Speech. And Henry A. Smidts version of the Speech published in Seattle Sunday Star October 29, 1887.