George Manuel
Encyclopedia
George Manuel, OC
(February 21, 1921 – November 15, 1989) was an Aboriginal
leader in Canada
. In the 1970s, he was chief of the National Indian Brotherhood (known today as the Assembly of First Nations).
territory of the Shuswap
people. Maria later married Louie Manuel and George took his last name. He was first educated at the Kamloops Indian Residential School
, but contracted tuberculosis
and was transferred to an Indian TB hospital on an Indian reservation near Chilliwack, British Columbia
. It was there that Manuel met the woman who would become his first wife, Marceline Paul, a Kootenai
woman from St. Mary's Indian Band. Together Manuel and Paul would have six children.
Unfortunately, Manuel's developing responsibilities as a political leader began to be a growing strain on his marriage. He was elected chief of the Neskonlith Indian Band
. In 1959, following the death of his mentor Andy Paull
, Manuel was elected head of the North American Indian Brotherhood. Soon after, he and Marceline separated. Not long after this, the federal Department of Indian Affairs hired Manuel for a position with the Cowichan Tribes
government at Duncan
. Manuel worked as a Community Development Officer, and increased the awareness of problems and conditions the Cowichan people were experiencing.
Manuel moved on from this position to a role with the Alberta Brotherhood, and developed a strong working relationship with the Cree
political leader Harold Cardinal
. Manuel networked extensively with chiefs across Canada during his time with the Alberta Brotherhood. Eventually Cardinal approached him to run for the position of national chief of the newly created National Indian Brotherhood
, a body that would represent almost 250,000 Indians. After some time the National Indian Brotherhood would rename itself as the Assembly of First Nations, and Manuel would serve as its national chief from 1970 to 1976.
Building on this experience, in 1975 Manuel helped found and became the president of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples
, a position he kept until 1981. In this role he travelled internationally, meeting with and advocating for the indigenous
people of nations like Argentina
, Chile
, and Peru
.
George Manuel was President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs from 1979 to 1981, where he continued to inspire many into action. He developed the Aboriginal Rights Position Paper and organized what came to be regarded as one of the UBCIC's most ambitious projects - the Indian Constitutional Express. Under his leadership, the UBCIC worked hard to fulfil its mandate to the people. Under his leadership, the UBCIC grew in esteem of indigenous people for whom it was created and gained stature in the eyes of the general public. His legacy lives on at the UBCIC today.
Manuel was honoured several times for his lifetime of work representing both First Nations
peoples in Canada and indigenous peoples
worldwide. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
, and was repeatedly recognized for his international work with the World Council of Indigenous Peoples. In 1983 he received an honorary degree from the University of British Columbia
in Vancouver
. In 1984, Manuel and Dr. Rudolph C. Ryser formed the Center for World Indigenous Studies
.
His sons Robert Manuel and Arthur Manuel became active in indigenous politics.
His eldest daughter Vera Manuel
became an internationally known playwright, and poet, as well as a highly respected leader in the community.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(February 21, 1921 – November 15, 1989) was an Aboriginal
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
leader in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In the 1970s, he was chief of the National Indian Brotherhood (known today as the Assembly of First Nations).
Biography
Manuel was born to Maria and Rainbow in 1921, on the SecwepemcSecwepemc
The Secwepemc , known in English as the Shuswap people, are a First Nations people residing in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Their traditional territory ranges from the eastern Chilcotin Plateau and the Cariboo Plateau southeast through the Thompson Country to Kamloops and the Shuswap...
territory of the Shuswap
Secwepemc
The Secwepemc , known in English as the Shuswap people, are a First Nations people residing in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Their traditional territory ranges from the eastern Chilcotin Plateau and the Cariboo Plateau southeast through the Thompson Country to Kamloops and the Shuswap...
people. Maria later married Louie Manuel and George took his last name. He was first educated at the Kamloops Indian Residential School
Residential school
Residential school may refer to:* Canadian Indian residential school system* a term used to describe boarding schools*A residential treatment center for people with addictions or severe mental illnesses...
, but contracted tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and was transferred to an Indian TB hospital on an Indian reservation near Chilliwack, British Columbia
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Chilliwack is a Canadian city in the Province of British Columbia. It is a predominantly agricultural community with an estimated population of 80,000 people. Chilliwack is the second largest city in the Fraser Valley Regional District after Abbotsford. The city is surrounded by mountains and...
. It was there that Manuel met the woman who would become his first wife, Marceline Paul, a Kootenai
Kootenai (tribe)
The Ktunaxa , also known as Kootenai, Kutenai or Kootenay , are an indigenous people of North America. They are one of three tribes of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation in Montana, and they form the Ktunaxa Nation in British Columbia...
woman from St. Mary's Indian Band. Together Manuel and Paul would have six children.
Unfortunately, Manuel's developing responsibilities as a political leader began to be a growing strain on his marriage. He was elected chief of the Neskonlith Indian Band
Neskonlith Indian Band
The Neskonlith Indian Band is First Nations government in the Canadian province of British Columbia located in the Shuswap district east of Kamloops. It is a member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, one of two main governmental bodies of the Secwepemc people...
. In 1959, following the death of his mentor Andy Paull
Andy Paull
Andy Paull, was a Sḵwxwú7mesh leader, activist, coach, and lawyer.-Early life and family:...
, Manuel was elected head of the North American Indian Brotherhood. Soon after, he and Marceline separated. Not long after this, the federal Department of Indian Affairs hired Manuel for a position with the Cowichan Tribes
Cowichan Tribes
The Cowichan Tribes First Nations government, located in and around the Cowichan Valley and Duncan, British Columbia, it is the single largest band government in British Columbia....
government at Duncan
Duncan, British Columbia
Duncan is a city on southern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.-History:The community is named after William Chalmers Duncan . He arrived in Victoria in May 1862, then in August of that year he was one of the party of a hundred settlers which Governor Douglas took to Cowichan Bay...
. Manuel worked as a Community Development Officer, and increased the awareness of problems and conditions the Cowichan people were experiencing.
Manuel moved on from this position to a role with the Alberta Brotherhood, and developed a strong working relationship with the Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
political leader Harold Cardinal
Harold Cardinal
Dr. Harold Cardinal was a Cree writer, political leader, teacher, negotiator and lawyer.Dr. Harold Cardinal was a Cree writer, political leader, teacher, negotiator and lawyer.Dr...
. Manuel networked extensively with chiefs across Canada during his time with the Alberta Brotherhood. Eventually Cardinal approached him to run for the position of national chief of the newly created National Indian Brotherhood
Assembly of First Nations
The Assembly of First Nations , formerly known as the National Indian Brotherhood, is a body of First Nations leaders in Canada...
, a body that would represent almost 250,000 Indians. After some time the National Indian Brotherhood would rename itself as the Assembly of First Nations, and Manuel would serve as its national chief from 1970 to 1976.
Building on this experience, in 1975 Manuel helped found and became the president of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples
World Council of Indigenous Peoples
The World Council of Indigenous Peoples was a formal international body dedicated to having concepts of aboriginal rights accepted on a worldwide scale...
, a position he kept until 1981. In this role he travelled internationally, meeting with and advocating for the indigenous
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
people of nations like Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
.
George Manuel was President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs from 1979 to 1981, where he continued to inspire many into action. He developed the Aboriginal Rights Position Paper and organized what came to be regarded as one of the UBCIC's most ambitious projects - the Indian Constitutional Express. Under his leadership, the UBCIC worked hard to fulfil its mandate to the people. Under his leadership, the UBCIC grew in esteem of indigenous people for whom it was created and gained stature in the eyes of the general public. His legacy lives on at the UBCIC today.
Manuel was honoured several times for his lifetime of work representing both First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
peoples in Canada and indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
worldwide. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, and was repeatedly recognized for his international work with the World Council of Indigenous Peoples. In 1983 he received an honorary degree from the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. In 1984, Manuel and Dr. Rudolph C. Ryser formed the Center for World Indigenous Studies
Center for World Indigenous Studies
The Center for World Indigenous Studies is a non-profit American organization. It was founded in 1984 by Dr. Rudolph C. Ryser, Ph.D. and Chief George Manuel as an independent research and education organization...
.
His sons Robert Manuel and Arthur Manuel became active in indigenous politics.
His eldest daughter Vera Manuel
Vera Manuel
Vera Manuel was Secwepemc-Ktunaxa, daughter of cultural leader Marceline Paul and political leader George Manuel Sr, born in 1949. She grew up on the Neskonlith Reservation in the interior of British Columbia, and lived for many years in Vancouver, Canada, where she died in January 2010. She...
became an internationally known playwright, and poet, as well as a highly respected leader in the community.
Further reading
- McFarlane, Peter, "Brotherhood to Nationhood: George Manuel and the Making of the Modern Indian Movement," (Toronto : Between the Lines, 1993), ISBN 0921284675