Chief Dan George facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chief Dan George OC
Born	Geswanouth Slahoot (1899-07-24)July 24, 1899 Tsleil-Waututh, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Died	September 23, 1981(1981-09-23) (aged 82) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation	Author, poet, actor
Years active	1951–1981
Relatives	Lee Maracle Columpa Bobb Charlene Aleck

Chief Dan George (born Geswanouth Slahoot; July 24, 1899 – September 23, 1981) was an important leader of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation. This First Nation is a Coast Salish group from British Columbia, Canada. Their home is near North Vancouver.

Chief Dan George was also a talented actor, musician, poet, and author. He is well-known for his acting roles in movies like Little Big Man (1970) and The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976). He even received an Academy Award nomination for his role in Little Big Man. His famous poem is called "My Heart Soars."

Early Life of Chief Dan George

Chief Dan George was born Geswanouth Slahoot in North Vancouver. His first English name was Dan Slaholt. When he was five years old, his last name changed to George after he started attending a residential school.

Before becoming famous, he worked many different jobs. He was a longshoreman, a construction worker, and even a school bus driver. From 1951 to 1963, he served as the chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. At that time, it was known as the Burrard Indian Band.

Chief Dan George's Acting Career

Starting His Acting Journey (1960–1970)

Chief Dan George began his acting career later in life. In 1960, when he was 60 years old, he got his first acting job. It was for a CBC Television series called Cariboo Country. He played a character named Ol' Antoine.

He played the same character in a Walt Disney Studios film, Smith! (1969). This movie was based on an episode from another TV series. When he was 71, he gained much recognition for his role in the film Little Big Man (1970). For this role, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Continued Success in Acting (1971–1981)

After Little Big Man, Chief Dan George continued to act in many projects. He performed in the play The Ecstasy of Rita Joe in several cities.

In 1972, he appeared in a TV musical special called The Special London Bridge Special. He also acted in the movie Cancel My Reservation that year. He then joined the cast of the TV series The Beachcombers. He played Chief Moses Charlie until his death in 1981.

In 1973, he played the "Ancient Warrior" in an episode of the TV show Kung Fu. He also recorded a song called "My Blue Heaven" with a band named Fireweed.

The next few years brought more film roles. He appeared in Alien Thunder (1974), The Bears and I (1974), and Harry and Tonto (1974). He also released a music album with Fireweed in 1974.

Dan George with Sondra Locke and Clint Eastwood promoting The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

In 1975, he was in an episode of the TV series McCloud. In 1976, he acted in two more films: The Outlaw Josey Wales and Shadow of the Hawk.

He also appeared in the 1978 TV miniseries Centennial. His last film roles were in Americathon (1979), Spirit of the Wind (1979), and Nothing Personal (1980).

His Written Works

Chief Dan George was known for his beautiful poetry. In 1974, he wrote "My Heart Soars." This was followed by "My Spirit Soars" in 1983, published after his death. These two books were later combined into "The Best of Chief Dan George." This book became a bestseller. One of his most famous poems is "A Lament for Confederation."

Death

Chief Dan George passed away in Vancouver in 1981. He was 82 years old. He was buried at Burrard Cemetery.

Chief Dan George's Family

Chief Dan George had a talented family. His granddaughter, Lee Maracle, was a poet, author, and professor. Another granddaughter, Charlene Aleck, was an actress on The Beachcombers for 18 years. His great-granddaughter, Columpa Bobb, is also an actress and poet.

His grand-nephew, Chief Jesse "Nighthawk" George, is currently a Peace Chief in Virginia.

His Activism

Throughout his acting career, Chief Dan George worked hard to help non-Indigenous people better understand First Nations cultures. In 1967, he gave a powerful speech called Lament for Confederation. This speech criticized how European settlers took over Indigenous lands.

This speech is believed to have sparked more political action among Indigenous people in Canada. It also helped create more support for Indigenous rights among non-Indigenous Canadians.

Awards and Honors

Chief Dan George received several awards for his role in Little Big Man.

Legacy and Recognition

Chief Dan George's star in Vancouver, British Columbia

In 1971, Chief Dan George was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is a very high honor in Canada.

A quote from him, "We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive," was featured on a "Golden Rule Poster" about Native Spirituality.

His poem "My Heart Soars" was read by Canadian actor Donald Sutherland at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The lines read were:

The beauty of the trees,

the softness of the air,

the fragrance of the grass,

speaks to me.

And my heart soars.

Places Named After Him

• Chief Dan George Middle School in Abbotsford, British Columbia
• Chief Dan George Public School in Toronto, Ontario
• Chief Dan George Theatre at the University of Victoria, British Columbia

In 2008, Canada Post released a postage stamp featuring Chief Dan George. This was part of their "Canadians in Hollywood" series.

Filmography

Written works

• George, Dan, and Helmut Hirnschall. My Heart Soars. Toronto: Clarke, Irwin, 1974. ISBN: 0-919654-15-0
• George, Dan, and Helmut Hirnschall. My Spirit Soars. Surrey, B.C., Canada: Hancock House, 1982. ISBN: 0-88839-154-4
• Mortimer, Hilda, and Dan George. You Call Me Chief: Impressions of the Life of Chief Dan George. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 1981. ISBN: 0-385-04806-8
• George, Dan, and Helmut Hirnschall. The Best of Chief Dan George. Surrey, B.C.: Hancock House, 2003. ISBN: 0-88839-544-2

See also

In Spanish: Chief Dan George para niños