Chief Seattle
1786-1866
Seattle was born in a Suquamish village along the Puget Sound. As a child he witnessed the first white people in the Northwest. In his early 20’s he was named the chief of his tribe and inherited the responsibility of dealing with white settlers. He rejected violent resistance and insisted on peaceful discourse. In 1830, Seattle and many other tribal members converted to Christianity. Seattle became a leader committed to integrating his faith with his Native cultural traditions. He was eventually disheartened by the way white settlers treated creation. He died on June 7th, 1866 at Port Marion near the city which today bears his name.
Prayer
Beautiful Creator, you open your hand to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence, and that we, remembering the account we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your abundance for the benefit of the whole creation. Through Jesus Christ through Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom all things were made and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.
Scripture: John 1:1-5, 9-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Through Him all things were made. Without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was the life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, and full of grace and truth.
Reflection:
Would our culture be happier and more at peace in the created order if we were practitioners of Native American spirituality?