Sentinel Rock

Sentinel Rock. The čičməhán Trail Stop 13. After signing the 1855 Point No Point Treaty, it was clear that there had been some misunderstandings, and the federal government was failing to follow through on its funding promises. Some of the Tribes of Washington rose up against what they saw as illegal seizure and occupation of their ancestral territories. Many S’Klallam discussed joining these efforts. čičməhán (Cheech-ma-han) saw white settlement as inevitable and maintained friendly relations with the newcomers in hopes of peaceful co-existence. Positioning himself at Sentinel Rock, he agreed to alert the white settlers as to whether they were safe or should prepare for battle. After nine days of Tribal meetings to decide whether to attack at Port Townsend, the final day he threw off his blanket and gave a great "whoop," indicating that the Indians had decided not to attack., A bronze plaque was installed near Sentinel Rock in 1937 by the Lucinda Hastings Parlor No. 1 of the Native Daughters of Washington. In 1996, the city installed a sculpture of Chetzemoka [čičməhán] by Dick Brown, depicting the Chief throwing off his blanket to indicate that the danger had passed.