Indian Oratory: Famous Speeches by Noted Indian Chiefs

Front Cover
W. C. Vanderwerth, William R. Carmack
University of Oklahoma Press, 1971 - Social Science - 292 pages

This collection of notable speeches by early-day leaders of twenty-two Indian tribes adds a new dimension to our knowledge of the original Americans and their own view of the tide of history engulfing them.

Little written record of their oratory exists, although Indians made much use of publics address. Around the council fires tribal affairs were settled without benefit of the written word, and young men attended to hear the speeches, observe their delivery, and consider the weight of reasoned argument.

Some of the early white men who traveled and lived among the Indians left transcriptions of tribal council meetings and speeches, and other orations were translated at treaty council meetings with delegates of the United States government. From these scattered reports and the few other existing sources this book presents a reconstruction of contemporary thought of the leading men of many tribes.

Chronologically, the selections range from the days of early contact with the whites in the 1750’s to a speech by Quanah Parker in 1910. Several of the orations were delivered at the famous Medicine Lodge Council in 1867.

A short biography of each orator states the conditions under which the speeches were made, locates the place of the council or meeting, and includes a photograph or copy of a painting of the speaker.

Speakers chosen to represent the tribes at treaty council were all orators of great natural ability, well trained in the Indian oral traditions. Acutely conscious that they were the selected representatives of their people, these men delivered eloquent, moving speeches, often using wit and sarcasm to good effect. They were well aware of all the issues involved, and they bargained with great statesmanship for survival of their traditional way of life.

From inside the book

Contents

Teedyuscung Delaware
14
Pontiac Ottawa
24
Listen to Me Fathers of the Thirteen Fires 1790
34
Red Jacket Seneca
42
Joseph Brant Mohawk
48
Little Turtle Miami
54
1811
61
Black Hawk Sauk Sac
85
Satanta Kiowa
171
Gall Sioux
183
Kicking Bird Kiowa
203
Captain Jack Modoc
209
Spotted Tail Sioux
219
Sitting Bull Sioux
226
Geronimo Apache
236
25
237

Keokuk Sauk Sac
95
Black Kettle Cheyenne
133
Little Raven Arapaho
139
Lone Wolf Kiowa
147
Tall Bull Cheyenne
154
Satank Kiowa
165
Kicking Bear Sioux
243
Quanah Parker Comanche
251
An Indians Views of Indian Affairs
259
Bibliography
285
29
Copyright

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About the author (1971)

W. C. Vanderwerth, was a professional writer specializing in Indian history. His articles appeared in many well-known periodicals.

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