Chief Dan George: Actor, Author, and Tsleil-Waututh Leader

Chief Dan George (July 24, 1899 – September 23, 1981) was a chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and a Canadian actor, musician, poet, and author. He is best remembered for his Academy Award–nominated performance as Old Lodge Skins in Little Big Man (1970) and for his role opposite Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976).

Early Life and Education

Born as Geswanouth Slahoot in North Vancouver on July 24, 1899, he was given the English name Dan Slaholt. At age 5, when he entered residential school, his surname was changed to George. Before his acting career began, he worked as a longshoreman, construction worker, and school bus driver. He served as band chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (then called the Burrard Indian Band) from 1951 to 1963.

Career and Achievements

George’s acting career began late in life. At age 60, in 1960, he landed his first role in the CBC Television series Cariboo Country, playing the character Ol’ Antoine. He reprised this role in the 1969 Walt Disney film Smith!, adapted from an episode of The High Chaparral.

His breakthrough came in 1970 with Arthur Penn’s Little Big Man, in which he played Old Lodge Skins opposite Dustin Hoffman. The performance earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at age 71. Throughout the 1970s, George maintained steady work in television and film. He appeared in Bonanza (1971), George Ryga’s stage play The Ecstasy of Rita Joe at venues in Vancouver, Ottawa, and Washington, D.C., and secured a recurring role as Chief Moses Charlie in the television series The Beachcombers beginning in 1972, a role he held until his death in 1981.

His filmography from the mid-1970s includes Alien Thunder (1974), The Bears and I (1974), Harry and Tonto (1974), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), and Shadow of the Hawk (1976). He also appeared in the 1978 miniseries Centennial, based on James A. Michener’s novel, and in Americathon (1979) and Spirit of the Wind (1979). His final film role was in Nothing Personal (1980).

Notable Events and Milestones

In 1973, George recorded “My Blue Heaven” with the band Fireweed, with “Indian Prayer” on the reverse side. His album Chief Dan George & Fireweed – In Circle was released in 1974. He wrote My Heart Soars in 1974, followed by My Spirit Soars in 1983, both published by Hancock House Publishers. These two books were later combined to form The Best of Chief Dan George, which became a bestseller.

George’s poem “A Lament for Confederation” became one of his most widely known works. He performed this soliloquy at the City of Vancouver’s celebration of the Canadian Centennial in 1967. The piece, an indictment of the appropriation of native territory by European colonialism, is credited with escalating native political activism in Canada and generating widespread pro-native sentiment among non-natives. A quote from “My Heart Soars” was narrated by actor Donald Sutherland during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Awards and Honors

In 1970, George received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Little Big Man. In 1971, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. He was included on the Golden Rule Poster under “Native Spirituality” with the quote: “We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.” In 2008, Canada Post issued a postage stamp in its “Canadians in Hollywood” series featuring Chief Dan George.

Additional Resources

Chief Dan George’s life and contributions to both film and Indigenous activism are documented extensively in biographical archives and on Wikipedia. His written works remain in print and continue to reach new audiences. Several institutions bear his name, including Chief Dan George Middle School in Abbotsford, British Columbia; Chief Dan George Public School in Toronto, Ontario; and the Chief Dan George Theatre at the University of Victoria. Readers seeking more detailed information about his career, family legacy, and cultural impact can consult these sources and broader biographical databases.

Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.

Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn