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Mini Biography

Chief Dan George was born Tes-wah-no (also known as Dan Slaholt) to a tribal chief on Burrard Reserve No.3 on Vancouver Island. His last name was changed to George when he entered a mission boarding school at the age of 5, where the use of his native language was discouraged, if not forbidden.

After spending much of his early life as a longshoreman, a construction worker, and a school bus driver, Chief Dan George auditioned for the role of Old Antoine on "Cariboo Country" (1960), a CBC television series, and was offered the part. On the strength of his performance in the series, and after playing the same part in a Disney adaptation of one the show's episodes, he was asked to play Old Lodge Skins in Little Big Man (1970); this role led to a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1970. He continued to appear in a variety of films, and also became an accomplished stage actor.

He became an influential speaker on the rights of the native peoples of North America. He died in 1981 on the same reservation where he was born.

Trivia

Was chief of the Squamish Band of Burrard Inlet, British Columbia, from 1951 to 1963.

Besides television and the movies, was also a successful Canadian stage actor and appeared in The Ectasy of Rita Joe in 1967

Was a successful poet. Wrote two books of poetry, My Heart Soars (1974) and My Spirit Soars (1982). Also recited his famous work, "Lament for Confederation," at Vancouver, British Columbia's 1967 Canadian Centennial celebrations.

Always insisted on playing "good" First Nation characters.

Until 1959 (when he was 60 years old), he worked as a longshoreman, logger and itinerant musician.

He was awarded the O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on June 25, 1971 for his services to Canada.

Has a public school named after him in Toronto, Ontario.

Chief Dan George

Chief Dan George was a gifted actor ...