Martha George (April 28, 1892 – January 7, 1987) was a native American tribal leader, repeatedly elected chairperson of the Suquamish tribe, serving from the late 1920s to the early 1940s. She was a descendant of Chief Seattle in present-day Washington state. She founded the Small Tribes Organization of Western Washington.[1]
Martha George | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson of the Suquamish tribe from the late 1920s to the early 1940s leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 28, 1892 Sheridan, Washington |
| Died | January 7, 1987 (aged 94) |
| Spouse(s) | Bennie George, of the Klallam |
| Relations | Chief Seattle |
| Children | 10 |
| Nickname | Martha Purser |
George was a famous basketweaver, who taught master weaver Peg Deam.
Deam recounted a story of when she was a little girl and asked George to take her to gather bark for a cedar dress. George laughed - winter is not the time for gathering - and took her in the spring.[2]
Her collection of Salish baskets is displayed in the Suquamish Museum.[3]
Quote
edit"They took what they needed and that's all. There's nothing wasted. That's quite important among the Indians: that you should respect the earth."[4]
—Martha George, in the video documentary Come Forth Laughing
References
edit- ^ "Notable Native American Women". Retrieved 2013-04-20.
- ^ "Northwest tribes trade weaving skills at Suquamish". North Kitsap Herald. 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
- ^ Melinda West. "New Suquamish Museum". West Gardens Basketry. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
- ^ "Ethnobotanical Garden - Sustainability". Seattle University, College of Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-04-20.