This life-like representation of Chief Seattle, chief of the Suquamish and for which this city is named after, stands in the northern center of a triangular shaped square (or plaza). It was sculpted by local artist,
James Wehn and officially dedicated in 1912. The Art Inventory Catalog's
description says the following:
(Across bottom of Kitsap plaque, incised:) KITSAP SIGHTS VANCOUVER'S VESSEL 1792/FIRST VESSEL ON PUGET SOUND (Lower right corner of Kitsap plaque, incised:) WEHN (On upper portion of Seattle plaque:) SEATTLE/CHIEF OF THE SUQUAMISH/A FIRM FRIEND OF THE WHITES/FOR HIM THE CITY OF SEATTLE/WAS NAMED BY ITS FOUNDERS (Lower center of Seattle plaque, raised:) 1908 (Lower right corner of Seattle plaque, incised:) WEHN (Top of circular piece surrounding bear heads:) Wehn (On triangular metal plaque over one bear head, raised:) TILIKUM/PLACE
Figure of Chief Seattle with his proper right arm raised. On the base are two bear heads that serve as waterspouts, and two relief plaques. One plaque depicts Chief Kitsap watching Captain George Vancouver's ship arrive in Puget Sound in 1792. The other plaque depicts two salmon, which are flanking the inscriptions.
The artist based this statue on the only known photo of Chief Seattle (ca. 1790-1867), chief of the Suquamish tribe. This statue of the city's namesake was the first statue commissioned by the City of Seattle, and is located significantly at the historic juncture of the original land claims of three Seattle pioneers, Carson Boren, William Bell, and Arthur Denny. Funds for the statue came from the street improvement budget.
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In my personal observation of this statue and knowing the history behind it, I was surprised that Chief Seattle was a gracious and hospitable Native American when the first white settlers started settling into the West, it would be interesting to learn more about Chief Seattle and to understand more the attitudes behind his people when the first white settlers arrived. I've also read that many Natives in Seattle were unfortunately banned to a man-made Island called 'Ballast Island' along the Seattle waterfront in the late 1880s and many of these natives had to live in their canoes and makeshift tents along the banks since the city wouldn't allow them to live or congregate in the urban areas. I find the pose of Chief Seattle holding his hand up and welcoming the white settlers onto 'his' lands as somewhat controversial because of this other history attached to the Natives of this area. For me personally, this statue is a sort of 'justification' symbol for all the white settlers into this area and the fact that this statue was placed on the same spot as the very first land claims by the first settlers is almost salt in the wound. But I know this statue can also be interpreted differently and the fact that this city derives its name from this chief, this statue is in a way, a small token of appreciation to any native that may come across it as a small 'Thank You' for allowing the white man to settle onto their lands and create the city into what it is today.
There is some good information on Chief Seattle, a friend of the white man and for which the City of Seattle is named after, here and here. There is also another excellent article about this statue/fountain here. It should also be mentioned that this statue/fountain and the plaza that surrounds it were remodeled and re-dedicated in 1975. Chief Seattle's great-great-granddaughter was present during the ceremony.