On this day in 1971, Chief Dan George Day was declared in Vancouver.
In his life he was an activist, chief, poet and Oscar-nominated actor.
Let's learn more about the man who broke barriers, Chief Dan George!
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In his life he was an activist, chief, poet and Oscar-nominated actor.
Let's learn more about the man who broke barriers, Chief Dan George!
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He was a descendant of Chief Wautsauk, who met Capt. George Vancouver when he landed in the area in 1792.
From an early age, he went by the first name Daniel.
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At the age of 16, he left Residential School and began working various jobs. These jobs included as a bus driver, longshoreman and construction worker.
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After years of working various jobs, George was elected the chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in 1951. He served as chief until 1963.
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As his time as chief was coming to an end, George decided he wanted to begin acting. In 1960, when he was 60, he took his first acting role on CBC's Cariboo Country as Ol' Antoine.
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He performed his soliloquy Lament for Confederation, which was an indictment of the taking of First Nations land. Many called it the greatest performance of his life.
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Such a stain on our country.