George, Gloria Mary Maureen

GEORGE, Gloria Mary Maureen, aboriginal activist (b 24 July 1942, Hubert). Born of DAKELH (Carrier), Lil'wat (see ST'AT'IMC), Cree, Welsh and French heritage, she has pursued a variety of political and social initiatives to promote understanding between aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities. She has participated in numerous federal and provincial organizations, including the BC Council for the Family, BC Rural and Remote Housing, Canadian Association in Support of the Native Peoples, Canadian Red Cross Society, Helping Spirit Lodge, Indigenous Bar Association, the John Howard Society of BC, and the United Church Land Claims Education Campaign. Among the first to join the BC Association of Non-Status Indians (BCANSI), she became its secretary-treasurer in 1971, and also served as secretary-treasurer (1972), vice-president (1974) and president (1975-76) of the Native Council of Canada (NCC), making her the first woman to head a major aboriginal political organization. She also served as commissioner for both the Canadian Human Rights Commission (1978–80) and BC Human Rights Commission (1980–82). As a mature student she attended law school at the Univ of Saskatchewan Native Law Program and graduated from UBC law school in 1989. See also ABORIGINAL RIGHTS.