U of S Historian's Research Chronicled in Powerful New Film
Posted January 18, 2006
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, January 18, 2006 2006-01-06-AR
U of S Historian's Research Chronicled in Powerful New Film
A U of S historian, whose investigative research uncovered a powerful and
international story of racism, murder, and cover-up, will discuss the tragic
story and its latest political ramifications at a campus screening of a new
documentary film on the subject.
The film, "The Lynching of Louie Sam," is based on research by Keith Thor
Carlson and is directed by Vancouver director David McIlwraith. It will
receive its Saskatchewan première on Wednesday, February 1st at 7
p.m. in the Neatby-Timlin Lecture Theatre - Room 241, Arts Building
(formerly Place Riel Theatre). The première screening is free and
open to the public.
The film chronicles a shocking case of lynching in British Columbia 122
years ago.
"At the time, the hanging of Louie Sam very nearly sparked an outright race
war," says Carlson, who is currently writing a book on the subject. "It's an
injustice that, to this day, has never properly been addressed or resolved."
In 1884, an American lynch mob crossed the border from Washington Territory
into British Columbia and hanged a 14-year-old Sto:lo boy who was in the
custody of Canadian police. The lynch mob claimed to be seeking justice for
the murder of a Washington shopkeeper but Carlson's investigative research
has revealed that the shopkeeper's murder was actually committed by one of
the lynch mob members - not young Louie Sam.
Until Carlson's research, the tragic tale of Louie Sam was the stuff of
local legend, virtually unknown outside the Sto:lo community. In the U.S.,
however, it was the lynch mob's version of events which prevailed and became
historical record.
Following the screening, Carlson will present a talk on the research that
led to the making of the film and about the bizarre, carnivalesque
atmosphere of the lynching itself. Carlson will also discuss the latest
international political implications of the story's resurfacing.
With Carlson's input, Washington's Legislature is now working to develop a
public apology to the Sto:lo Nation to be tabled this session. Along with
acting as consultant to Washington's Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, Carlson
has also been in close communication with British Columbia's Lieutenant
Governor Iona Campagnola.
"Both governments share in the blame for not clearing Louie Sam's name
before now and for never pursuing his killers," says Carlson. "As far as I'm
concerned, an apology is a step in the right direction - although I
certainly hope it won't end there."
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For more information, contact:
Keith Thor Carlson
History Department
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5902
keith.carlson@usask.ca
or
Jennifer W. Webber
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1474
jennifer.webber@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
