George Manuel

George Manuel, OC (February 21, 1921 – November 15, 1989) was a leader in the Indigenous peoples' movement locally, provincially (working especially with First Nations in British Columbia), nationally (with First Nations in Canada), and globally, pushing for recognition of Indigenous rights.

Born and raised in British Columbia, he became politically active there and in Alberta. In 1970, he was elected and served until 1976 as chief of the National Indian Brotherhood (known today as the Assembly of First Nations). In 1975 he founded and became president of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples, serving until 1981.

Reflecting on his work with indigenous peoples across the Americas, he wrote The Fourth World: An Indian Reality (1975), exploring the effects of waves of European immigration on these peoples. In his later years, he served as president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, 1979 through 1981.