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 HereListen to Chief Dan George Here