JULY 28, 1959

SQUAMISH LEADER, ACTIVIST, LACROSSE COACH XWECHTÁAL (ANDY PAULL) DIED

Born at Burrard Inlet, British Columbia (BC), on February 6, 1892, Paull’s Squamish name means “Serpent Slayer.” In 1907, he began learning the law, but never was admitted to the bar because, at the time, he would have to be “enfranchised” and thus forfeit his Indian status. A member of the executive of the Allied Tribes of BC, he testified before a special joint committee in Ottawa in 1927. In 1942, Andy helped form the Native Brotherhood of BC, but in 1945 left to become Grand Chief of the North American Indian Brotherhood. In the late 1940s, he testified before parliamentary committees regarding Indian Act revisions, memorizing long portions of documents. At the same time, Paull was a famed Box Lacrosse coach beginning in 1921. His team, the North Shore Indians, were highly successful in the 1930s. The 1936 team is still remembered. He is an Honored Member of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Paull died in Vancouver, BC.

Sources: 

E. P. Patterson Li, “Andrew Paull,” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2/4/2008.  Retrieved 6/7/2019, http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/andrew-paull/

“Andy Paul,” Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame.  Retrieved 6/7/2019, https://www.clhof.org/index.php/inductees/by-category/builder/11-andy-paull

Photo: Author unknown, 1934.  Public Domain in Canada, Fair use elsewhere.