- Dan George
Infobox actor
name = Dan George
caption =
birthdate =July 24 ,1899
birthplace =First Nations reserve ,North Vancouver
deathdate =September 23 ,1981
deathplace =Vancouver, British Columbia Chief Dan George, OC (July 24 ,1899 –September 23 ,1981 ) was a chief of the Tsleil-Waututh, aSalish First Nations people located inBurrard Inlet ,British Columbia . He was also anAcademy Award -nominated actor and an author.Early years
Dan George was born as Geswanouth Slahoot on a
First Nations reserve inNorth Vancouver . His English name originally was Dan Slaholt. His last name was changed to George when he entered aresidential school at the age of 5. George worked at a number of different jobs, including as a longshoreman, construction worker and school bus driver. He was chief of the Tsleil-Waututh from 1951 to 1963.Acting career
In 1960, when he was already 60 years of age, he got his first job acting in a
CBC Television series, "Cariboo Country", as the character "Ol' Antoine". He performed the same role in a Walt Disney Studios movie, "Smith! ", adapted from an episode in this series (based on "Breaking Smith's Quarter Horse", a novella byPaul St. Pierre ). At the age of 71, George won several awards for his role in the film "Little Big Man ", including a nomination for theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor . He continued to act in other films, such as "The Outlaw Josey Wales ", "Harry and Tonto " and "Americathon ", and on television, including a role in the miniseries "Centennial", based on the book byJames A. Michener .George acted the role of Rita Joe's father in
George Ryga 's stage play, "The Ecstasy of Rita Joe ", in performances atVancouver , theNational Arts Centre inOttawa andWashington .During his acting career, Chief Dan George always worked to promote better understanding by non-aboriginals of the First Nations people. His soliloquy, "Lament for Confederation", [ [http://www.ammsa.com/buffalospirit/2003/footprints-DanGeorge.html (full text)] ] a riveting indictment of the appropriation of native territory by white colonialism, was performed at the city of Vancouver's celebration of the
Canadian centennial in 1967. This speech is credited with escalating native political activism in Canada, as well as touching off widespread pro-native sentiment among non-natives.In 1971, George was made an Officer of the
Order of Canada .He died in
Vancouver in 1981 at the age of 82. Hisinterment was located at Burrard Cemetery.His bibliography
* George, Dan, and Helmut Hirnschall. "My Heart Soars". Toronto: Clarke, Irwin, 1974. ISBN 0919654150
* George, Dan, and Helmut Hirnschall. "My Spirit Soars". Surrey, B.C., Canada: Hancock House, 1982. ISBN 0888391544
* Mortimer, Hilda, and Dan George. "You Call Me Chief: Impressions of the Life of Chief Dan George". Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 1981. ISBN 0385048068
* George, Dan, and Helmut Hirnschall. "The Best of Chief Dan George". Surrey, B.C.: Hancock House, 2003. ISBN 0888395442Notable family
*"
Lee Maracle " (Granddaughter) - poet/author/activist/professor
*"Columpa Bobb " (Great-granddaughter) - actor/poetDedications
*"Chief Dan George Middle School" in Abbotsford, B.C. Known as "The Wolves".
*"Chief Dan George Public School" inToronto, Ontario , Canada
*Chief Dan George Theatre, Phoenix Theatre,University of Victoria , BC.References
External links
*imdb name|id=0313381|name=Chief Dan George
* [http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10211109&pt=Dan%20George Chief Dan George] at [http://www.findagrave.com Find A Grave]
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