Chief Dan George (Indian name: Geswanouth Slahoot) is a famous 20th century Native American chief of the (Salish) Tsleil-Waututh Nation, a coastal indigenous First Nation Canadian Indian tribe located on the Burrard Inlet, British Columbia, North America.
Chief Dan George was also a celebrated Hollywood actor nominated for an Academy Award, and a prolific writer and poet.
The time will soon be here when my grandchild will long for the cry of a loon, the flash of a salmon, the whisper of spruce needles, or the screech of an eagle.
But he will not make friends with any of these creatures and when his heart aches with longing, he will curse me.
Have I done all to keep the air fresh?
Have I cared enough about the water?
Have I left the eagle to soar in freedom?
Have I done everything I could to earn my grandchild's fondness?
Play Chief Dan George movie clip "The Outlaw Josey Wales."
Watch "Little Big Man" starring with Dustin Hoffman and Chief Dan George.
Dan George painting by artist William Meire.
One thing to remember is to talk to the animals.
If you do, they will talk back to you.
But if you don't talk to the animals, they won't talk back to you, then you won't understand, and when you don't understand you will fear, and when you fear you will destroy the animals, and if you destroy the animals, you will destroy yourself.
- Chief Dan George, Tsleil-Waututh (1899-1981)
Hollywood movie actor headshot, Native American actor portfolio.