From the beginning of the colonization of America, it has been clearly discernible that the indigenous peoples of the land
held starkly different core values from the European settlers. The most glaring contrast in values, perhaps, centers around the reverence for and treatment of the dead. The viewpoints held by both parties are so fundamentally different they could potentially be seen as a root cause of much of the conflict that has occurred since the first settlers built upon American soil.
In his moving oration of 1854, Chief Seattle of the Suquamish nation summarized the difference thus:
“Your dead cease to love you...as soon as they pass the portals...They are soon forgotten and never return. Our dead never forget this beautiful world that gave them being...and often return from the happy hunting ground to visit, guide, console, and comfort them”
In this quote, we see not only the disparity between the two views of death, but Chief Seattle's obvious disdain for the White belief. Seattle illustrates that, according to the belief systems of his nation, the dead remain a part of this world even beyond their passing. As such, his people honor the dead as though they are still among them. Further along in his narration Seattle suggests that for this very reason the land itself feels little fondness toward white men,
“Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people...and the very dust upon which you now stand responds more lovingly to their footsteps than yours, because it is rich with the blood of our ancestors.”
In addition, Chief Seattle makes a point to state that there is no such thing as death, only a move to a new world. Therefore, the land in which they are interred is the location at which they return to conduct their visits. That Chief Seattle demands permission to return without hindrance to the graves of their dead only serves to illustrate the high level of reverence with which the people regard the departed.
This view was quite different from the view held by white settlers. The land in which the dead were buried was holy ground, but little else. Occasional visits were conducted by family, however they were not sacred pilgrimages. Once the deceased's family had also died, such visits ceased; by contrast, Native Americans paid homage not only to their own ancestors, but to those of others in order to keep their memory alive. To early Christian settlers, attempting communication with the dead was a perverse sin. This difference strongly reinforced the belief that Native Americans were heathens and savages, thereby also reinforcing the belief that taking the land by violence was justified by God. This, however, was not the only conflict. The view of Native Americans that burial sites were sacred led to many territorial disputes. Once again drawing from Chief Seattle's demand for safe passage to their tombs, it is easy to recognize the conflicts of interest that differences of opinions on death may create. If death and burial are tied to land “ownership,” the reason for the indignation of the Native American people becomes apparent.
Naturally, this dissimilarity is not the sole cause of strife, but it is undoubtedly significant. The hatred caused by such conflict reverberates through today. While racism itself has largely dissipated in most areas of the country, the misunderstandings still prevent the sort of harmony that was the ideal sought by Chief Seattle. However, through continuing effort, such may yet be achieved. As Chief Seattle said, “We may be brothers after all. We will see.”