What a long strange trip indeed! If my memory serves me well it was back in
the sixties when the hippie thing was in full swing. It was then I met and became friends with
Leonard George who is a Coast Salish first nations man. We were young and restless back then and,
of course, into almost everything you can imagine to get and stay drunk and high. We hung together
for years and then one day Leonard approached my band and I, Fireweed at that time, and asked if
we would like to do some shows with his father. He told us that his father was an entertainer
and how they had once had a family band in which Leonard played drums and his brother Bob the
accordion. They would travel around playing weddings, dances and other special
occasions. He told us his dad had always enjoyed making music and really missed getting up on
stage and entertaining people, so would we be willing to work up a show and tour it on the road.
We agreed, and away we went doing thirty one-nighters in theatres and halls throughout the
province of British Columbia, Canada. Well, in case you haven't figured it out by now,
Leonard's father was the famous native spokesman and movie actor Chief Dan George (Little Big
Man, Outlaw Jose Wales, etc). At tour's end we arrived back home to Vancouver and recorded the
album "Chief Dan George and Fireweed In Circle." It's a really great album, one I've always been
proud of, and if the universe is kind we will be doing a re-release in 2000.
Dan was one of the most dearly gracious and spiritual men I have ever had the pleasure to
spend time with and we had an absolute ball during the tour and the recording. He had a great
sense of humour and was always smiling and laughing. One thing I clearly remember about Dan
was how much he enjoyed, and how important it was for him to relate to the children. When we
recorded the album it was also important to Dan and his family that we include a speech that
was written by the Chief for Canada's centenary. The speech was recited in front of several
government dignitaries in 1967 during a celebration of the country's 100 years. Well, as you
can imagine the commentary was quite shocking when Dan began from his perspective, telling how
the Indian people have been treated over the past hundred years. I can tell you that Dan's
"Centennial Speech" is as powerful a piece as you're likely to hear anywhere in this lifetime.
Every prediction that Dan made in the speech about how things will change in native society has
come to pass. I believe it important to re-release the project so the children can once again
hear part of their culture and the elders can enjoy the progress that has been made.
So in closing I would like to say that even though Chief Dan George has passed over to the other
side his spirit will live on for years and generations to come.
"Thank you Grandfather for the time we spent together and may your heart soar like an eagle." Footnote: Leonard is now chief and we've both been sober for more than 20 yrs.
Quatsame - Danny Mack
