On National Indigenous Peoples Day, I has honoured to be part of the
opening of a new exhibit at the Sidney Museum featuring
the life of the legendary Tsleil-Waututh leader Chief Dan George. The exhibition runs until
September 30th.
Chief George is one of those iconic figures in Canadian history perhaps
best known for his work in Hollywood movies like Little Big Man and The
Outlaw Josey Wales. However, he was a multi-talented, community leader,
author and activist.
Chief
Dan George portraying 'Chief Old Lodge Skins' in Little Big Man |
Looking back from our vantage point nearly 40 years after his passing,
his wise words are prophetic.
Sharing wise words
There are special people who seem to be able to grab hold of you by the
way they articulate their enlightened perspective. They need just a few simple
words. They come from all walks of life and all fields of work. Whether they
are the ancient proverbs of Lao Tzu, or the gridiron gospel of Vince Lombardi,
their echoing foresight reverberates long after their passing.
Chief Dan George is one of those people.
In preparing for speaking at the opening of the exhibit, I did a web
search for his famous quotes and each one spoke to its own
aspect of my work as a community leader and legislator.
I feel as if our SI¸ÁM, our honoured elder, was speaking directly to me. He was speaking to each one of us.
I feel as if our SI¸ÁM, our honoured elder, was speaking directly to me. He was speaking to each one of us.
"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?"
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?"
~~ Chief Dan George ~~
What will we do now that we have heard his wisdom?
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