Audience

Debated historical records suggest that the speech “Selling Our Land” was delivered when newly appointed Governor, Isaac Stevens met with tribal leaders, probably including Chief Seattle. This implies that the speech was delivered at some welcoming festivities in front of the local audience. Other sources claim that the speech was actually a letter and was never delivered in front of an audience.  

If we look at the content of the speech, it suggests the speaker’s target audience is made up of the white settlers who wanted to buy land in the area inhabited by his tribe: “How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land?” (l. 2); “But if we sell you our land, you must remember that the air is precious to us…” (ll. 18-19)

The speaker mentions...