Kitsap (Suquamish leader)

Kitsap
k̓c̓ap
A plaque of Kitsap sighting the Vancouver Expedition c. 1792
Suquamish war leader
Personal details
Cause of deathMurder
Relations
  • Telibut (brother)
  • Schweabe (brother)
  • Seattle (nephew)
Known forWarfare, wealth
Mother tongueLushootseed

Kitsap (Lushootseed: k̓c̓ap;[a][1] fl.c. 1791 – c. 1829) was a leader of the Suquamish people during the 19th century. Kitsap was the orchestrator of a region-wide coalition that sought to end the constant slave raids perpetrated by the Cowichan. His wealth and prestige allowed him to build the Old Man House, one of the most famous longhouses on Puget Sound. Kitsap, who met one of the first European expeditions into Puget Sound, was quick to ally with European traders, and set a precedent for Suquamish attitudes toward white settlers in the future.

Kitsap was famed for his prowess, military strategy, wealth, and medicine powers, and is remembered by the Suquamish both for his military achievements, and his violent nature, which made him many enemies. His military campaigns influenced Seattle, his nephew. His contemporary, pioneer Theodore O. William said that Kitsap was the most powerful chief on Puget Sound from 1790 to 1845.[2][3] Kitsap County, Washington, and the Kitsap Peninsula are named for him.


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  1. ^ Yoder, Janet; Hilbert, Vi (December 7, 2006). Chief Seattle — his Lushootseed name and other important words pronounced in Lushootseed by Vi Hilbert (Audio tape). Event occurs at 6:15 – via HistoryLink.
  2. ^ Washington Historical Quarterly 1934, p. 298.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Forsman2024 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).