Henry Cayou facts for kids

Henry Cayou (born around 1869 – died March 31, 1959) was an important Lummi fisherman and politician. He was one of the first Native American people elected to office in Washington state. He worked as a County Commissioner for San Juan County for 29 years. He also served one term in the Washington House of Representatives.

Early Life and Work

Henry Cayou was born on Orcas Island in 1869. This island is one of Washington's San Juan Islands. His family worked with trapping. His mother was Native American, from the Samish and Lummi peoples. His father was a white man of French background. Henry grew up with ten brothers and sisters.

He learned about both Native culture and the wider community on Orcas Island. He played baseball for a Native team. He also became a successful business owner. He started as a fisherman. Soon, he bought many boats and ran a large fishing business.

Political Career

Cayou first entered politics in 1897. He worked as a road supervisor. In 1901, he became the local agent for the Chemawa Indian School. He was made postmaster of Decatur Island in 1902.

In 1906, he was elected to the San Juan County Board of Commissioners. He held this job for 29 years. He won the election easily. At that time, Native people did not have a guaranteed right to vote.

Running for State Representative

In 1928, Cayou tried to become a member of the Washington House of Representatives. He lost that election. He ran again in 1938. He said he wanted to stop higher taxes. He lost that election too.

In 1940, he tried for the third time. He won this election. He won with another Republican, Grant C. Sisson. The election was decided by votes sent in by mail. He lost his re-election in 1942. He lost to Violet Boede, a Democrat, in a very close race.

Near-Death Experiences

Henry Cayou had several close calls with danger in his life. On Christmas Day in 1895, his boat overturned near Orcas Island. He and his family had to be rescued. On March 6, 1911, he was hurt in an accident. He got a skull fracture when a spark hit an open can of gasoline. He died on March 31, 1959, in Bellingham, Washington.

Legacy

In 2021, people suggested renaming a channel after Cayou. This channel is between Orcas and Shaw islands. The idea was sent to the Washington State Board on Geographic Names.

The channel was called "Harney Channel." It was named after William S. Harney. He was a general in the United States Army. Harney led many attacks on Native people. He even pretended to make peace to trick communities. Even during his time, newspapers called Harney a "monster."

On July 5, 2022, the Board agreed to rename the channel. They said it was because many people in San Juan County worked hard for the change.