February 28, 2006 Source: University of Saskatchewan:
http://www.usask.ca/events/news/articles/20060228-1.html U of S Historian Makes History in Obtaining Resolution for Sto:lo Nation Organization: University of Saskatchewan Communications
Email: communications@usask.ca
Released: Feb. 28, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, February 28, 2006
2006-02-07-AR U of S Historian Makes History in Obtaining Resolution for Sto:lo Nation University of Saskatchewan historian Keith Thor Carlson's research has
helped redress an historical injustice against a West Coast Aboriginal
group. Carlson's investigation into an unresolved 1884 murder of a 14-year-old
First Nations boy has led to an international and public acknowledgment of
the event's injustice. "Keith Thor Carlson has made history - not just recorded it," says Antonio
Sanchez, Senior Research Analyst and International Relations and Economic
Development Coordinator for Washington's Office of Lieutenant Governor. "He
has done incredible work with this research, no doubt about it." Last night, the Senate in Washington state passed a resolution acknowledging
the injustice of the 1884 lynching of Sto:lo Nation boy Louie Sam at the
hands of an American lynch mob. "After first hearing the story of Louie Sam from British Columbia Lieutenant
Governor Iona Campagnolo, I understood how this terrible injustice in our
history needed to be reconciled," said by Washington Lieutenant Governor
Brad Owen. The resolution states that both the Washington and B.C. government of the
time "failed to take adequate action to identify the true culprit of the
murder and bring the organizers and members of the lynch mob to justice."
The two governments now seek "to promote healing among the Sto:lo people and
reconciliation between Natives and non-Natives on the Pacific Coast . . . to
ensure that such a tragedy will neither be forgotten nor repeated." On Wednesday, March 1st, Washington's House of Representatives will present
a similarly worded motion. Sto:lo Tribal Council Grand Chief Doug Kelly will
be on hand. A similar acknowledgment is expected to be coming from British
Columbia's Legislature through John van Dongen, Minister of State for
Intergovernmental Relations and MLA for Abbotsford-Clayburn, the riding of
the Sto:lo Nation. The long-awaited acknowledgment of the injustice to the Sto:lo is a direct
result of Carlson's seminal research into the tragic event. He was also a
key consultant to Washington on the issue. "Professor Carlson's research into these events is simply outstanding - and
will have lasting impact," says U of S Vice-President Research Steven
Franklin. "It is particularly heartening to see how this research is
affecting international political events and social justice issues. It has
truly made a difference." "It's unbelievably rewarding to see this happen," said Carlson of the
resolutions to be presented on March 1st. "The Sto:lo people deserve this
acknowledgment of the injustice to Louie Sam. I hope it will serve to help
improve relations and promote healing all round." The news of the resolutions to be formally presented in Washington comes
almost exactly on the 122nd anniversary of Louie Sam's death. The Sto:lo boy
was lynched the night of February 27th, 1884, possibly during the early
hours of February 28th. That night, an American lynch mob crossed the border from Washington
Territory into British Columbia and hanged 14-year-old Louie Sam who was
then 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. "The events of that night very nearly sparked an outright race war," says
Keith Thor Carlson, who is currently writing a book on the subject. Carlson's research has already inspired a recently released documentary
film, "The Lynching of Louie Sam," by Vancouver filmmaker David McIlwraith.
That film has appeared on the History Channel. Its Saskatchewan
première was held recently on the U of S campus. Carlson will attend the historic event tomorrow in Olympia, Washington along
with friends and colleagues from B.C.'s Sto:lo Nation. -30- For more information, contact:
Keith Thor Carlson
History Department
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5902
keith.carlson@usask.ca Jennifer W. Webber
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1474
jennifer.webber@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research [U of S]
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