08 Jul PRESS RELEASE: Chief Dan George Exhibition Opens July 10 at the SLCC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Feature Exhibition – Chief Dan George – Actor and Activist – Opens July 10, 2024 at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, B.C.

July 8, 2024, Whistler BC – The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler is proud to host Chief Dan George – Actor and Activist, opening Wednesday, July 10, 2024, a touring exhibition created by MONOVA: Museum and Archives of North Vancouver.

The exhibit explores the life and legacy of Tsleil-Waututh Chief Dan George (1899 – 1981), including his influence as a First Nations rights advocate and his career as an actor. Longshoreman, actor, musician, lecturer, poet, activist, environmentalist and First Nations leader, Dan George (born Geswanouth Slahoot) is well remembered. Raised on the Burrard Indian Reserve #3, the son of hereditary chief George Sla-holt, he spent much of his life working as a longshoreman and logger. He began his acting career later in life during the 1960s and 70s. Dan George appeared in many television, movie and stage productions in which he worked to promote a better understanding of First Nations people. Although focused on Dan George, the exhibition also delves into significant events in the First Nations rights movement in BC and Canada.

Tsawaysia Dominique Nahanee – Squamish Curator from the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, shares “We are grateful to the MONOVA Museum and Archives of North Vancouver for sharing this touring exhibition with the SLCC as it brings light into Chief Dan Georges life. It gives us great pride to host this exhibit as he was a well-known man in many communities. He was always headstrong and tried his best to teach the people around him. We see that he reached out in many different ways to teach the world around him.”

Chief Dan George – Actor and Activist officially opens at the SLCC Wednesday July 10, 2024 in Gallery 3 of the SLCC, on until February 2, 2025. Entry is included with Museum Admission and includes hourly What We Treasure guided tours. Guests can also consider purchasing Annual Membership to connect and visit the SLCC throughout the year, supporting an authentic Indigenous-owned, non-profit organization that contributes to cultural revitalization, offers meaningful employment to Nation Members and training through the SLCC Indigenous Youth Ambassador program.

To learn more about the Chief Dan George – Actor and Activist Exhibition
visit slcc.ca/chief-dan-george/

The SLCC regular hours of operation are Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm (Closed Mondays). The SLCC occasionally closes early for private events, plan your visit at slcc.ca/visit

Read the Press Release