Chief William Shelton

Photograph

Island County Historical Society

Name/Title

Chief William Shelton

Entry/Object ID

2025.006.001

Description

Chief William Shelton wearing a Plains tribe's headdress

Photograph Details

Subject Person or Organization

Shelton, William (Wha-cah-dub, Whea-kadim)

Subject Place

City

Coupeville

County

Island County

State/Province

Washington

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Region

Whidbey Island

Context

Chief Shelton came up with the idea of dressing up in the costumes and headdresses from Great Plains tribes for the Penn Cove Water Festival. Shelton said, "If we are going to fight for American Indians, we need to look like Indians. The only Indians white people see are in the movies, and we need to look like them."

Collection

Penn Cove Water Festival Association

Acquisition

Accession

2025.006

Source or Donor

Hanson, Ron

Acquisition Method

Gift

Dimensions

Height

4-1/2 in

Width

2-1/2 in

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Shelton, William (Wha-cah-dub, Whea-kadim)