Chief Dan George was asked to speak at the 100th birthday party for Canada at Empire Stadium in 1967.

"In the long hundred years since the white man came, I have seen my freedom disappear like the salmon going mysteriously out to sea,"he said.

"The white man"s strange customs, which I did not understand, pressed down upon me until I could no longer breathe.

"When I fought to protect my land and home, I was called a savage.

When I neither understood nor welcomed this way of life, I was called lazy.

When I tried to rule my people, I was stripped of my authority.

"Oh Canada, how can I celebrate with u this century, this hundred years?

Shall I thank you for the reserves that left me of my beautiful forests?

For the canned fish of my rivers?

For the loss of my pride and authority , even among my own people?"

George's speech silenced the crowd of 32,000.

Had to share this very profound speech, thank you for your time.

Chief Dan George, OC was a chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, a Coast Salish band located on Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

He was also an author, poet, and an Academy Award-nominated actor.
Born: July 24, 1899, Tsleil-Waututh First Nation
Died: September 23, 1981, Vancouver
Awards: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominations: Academy Award for Actor in a Supporting Role.

View Original Speech Here

Listen to Chief Dan George Here