Hear my voice and the voice of my ancestors, Chief Seattle said.The destiny of your people is a mystery to us.What will happen when the buffalo are all slaughtered?The wild horses tamed?What will happen when the secret corners of the forest are heavy with the scent of many men?When the view of the ripe hills is blotted by talking wires?Where will the thicket be? Gone.Where will the eagle be? Gone!And what will happen when we say good-bye to the swift pony and the hunt?It will be the end of living, and the beginning of survival.
In Susan Jeffers' "Brother Eagle, Sister Sky," Chief Seattle reflects on the profound changes that humanity's actions bring to nature and Indigenous life. He expresses a deep concern for the future of his people and the natural world, questioning the fate of the buffalo and wild horses as they face extinction. Seattle paints a vivid picture of a landscape transformed by human presence, filled with fear about losing the sacred elements of nature.
The Chief warns that the loss of these natural treasures signifies a shift from a life of abundance to one of mere survival. He mourns the disappearance of the thicket and the eagle, symbolizing the destruction of a rich, vibrant culture intertwined with nature. His poignant message serves as a call to recognize the impact of industrialization and to cherish the connection between humanity and the environment.
