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Martha George

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Martha George
Chairperson of the Suquamish tribe from the late 1920s to the early 1940s leader
Personal details
BornApril 28, 1892
Sheridan, Washington
DiedJanuary 7, 1987(1987-01-07) (aged 94)
Spouse(s)Bennie George, of the Klallam
RelationsChief Seattle
Children10
NicknameMartha Purser

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]

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

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"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

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  1. ^ "Notable Native American Women". Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  2. ^ "Northwest tribes trade weaving skills at Suquamish". North Kitsap Herald. 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  3. ^ Melinda West. "New Suquamish Museum". West Gardens Basketry. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  4. ^ "Ethnobotanical Garden - Sustainability". Seattle University, College of Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-04-20.