William Shelton

Who was William Shelton?

William Shelton was the last hereditary chief of the Snohomish in Tulalip, Washington. He was also an author, a notable sculptor, and an emissary between the Snohomish people and the United States government.

Shelton was one of the few Snohomish to speak both English and Lushootseed, the language of the Coast Salish.

During his lifetime, Shelton carved a number of story poles, very few of which still remain. One of those remaining story poles was cut in half after it began to rot. The top half now stands on the grounds of the Tulalip Elementary School. Historical photos of the complete pole exist in the digitized holdings of the nearby Everett Public Library.)

Shelton's 1925 book The Story of the Totem Pole or Indian Legends is subtitled "Early Indian Legends As Handed Down From Generation To Generation Are Herewith Recorded By Chief William Shelton Of Tulalip, Washington." The book is the only record of many legends of the Coast Salish people.