Trivia

Was chief of the Burrard Band of North Vancouver, British Columbia (aka the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation today), from 1951 to 1963. Although the position is elected, not hereditary, his son Chief Leonard George was chief 1989-2001.

Actor Donald Sutherland quoted from his poem "My Heart Soars" in the the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010: XXI Olympic Winter Games.

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

Always insisted on playing "good" First Nation characters.

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 in Empire Stadium; the speech was a stirring--and unexpected--indictment of colonialism's impact on First Nations people and helped galvanize native political activism in British Columbia, and also created support and awareness among non-natives.

Aside from television and films, Chief Dan George was also a successful stage actor. He appeared onstage in "The Ecstasy of Rita Joe" in 1967, opposite Frances Hyland.

A public middle school in Abbotsford, British Columbia and an elementary public school in Toronto, Canada, are both named for Chief Dan George.

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

He is commemorated on one of a set of postage stamps (issued in 2008) honoring prominent Canadians in Hollywood. The other stamps feature Marie Dressler, Norma Shearer, and Raymond Burr.

Never appeared in a film nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.