Chief Seattle Days has been a major event for decades, but it hasn’t always been that way.

Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman, along with his brother Jim, said at this year’s event Aug. 16-18 that when they were young public expression of Suquamish culture wasn’t really allowed.

Originally part of Seattle Seafair, by the early 1990s that relationship ended. Resources to produce Chief Seattle Days dwindled to the point that its future was in question. Both Forsmans spoke about a conversation they had that Chief Seattle Days had to go on— as an expression of their community, culture and values— so they helped make sure it did.

The most important traditional event each year is the Gravesite Honoring Chief Sealth (Seattle) ceremony, performed by Suquamish elders. It was attended by nearly 100 observers, including political leaders from Kitsap County.

At the gravesite honoring, Joey Holmes Sr. and others handed out brown bandanas. He explained that among the Suquamish, living in the wet and cold Puget Sound region, one of the highest honors one could bestow was the wrapping of a blanket (shelter, protection) from one to another. That tradition was repressed as settlers attempted to force assimilation.

In response, tribes began to offer each other small pieces of cloth, into which a quarter had been sewn. That could then be used to buy a blanket— that they were forbidden to exchange or give themselves. Holmes’ generosity was a continuation of that peaceful, but meaningful subversion.

Chief Seattle Days included many other events: native canoe racers from all over the region participated, as did native dancers from the Yakama Valley at the Powwow. There was also a downtown parade, a salmon bake and more.

A young dancer from Yakima entertains the crowd at the Powwow.

Those in and out of the parade enjoyed that event at Chief Seattle Days.

The line to enjoy a salmon feed was long as usual at the event.

Tribal chairman Leonard Forsman talks about the history of Chief Seattle Days Aug. 17.