Post by Okwes on Mar 2, 2006 11:20:13 GMT -5
Washington Honors Lynched Indian Boy
From Associated Press March, 2 2006
www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-healing2mar02,0,\
1023642.story
<http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-healing2mar02,0\
,1023642.story>
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Beating drums and deep, resonant chants calling for
unity and healing echoed in Washington state's Capitol on Wednesday in
remembrance of a 14-year-old Indian boy lynched 122 years ago just
across the border in Canada by a Washington Territory mob.
The healing circle in the Rotunda followed the presentation of a
resolution on the state Senate floor to one of several grand chiefs of
the Sto:lo Nation, the Canadian tribe of the slain boy, Louie Sam.
"Through this resolution, the Senate joins its peers in the government
of British Columbia, acknowledging the unfortunate historical injustice
to Louie Sam and the proud Sto:lo people," said Lt. Gov. Brad Owen
before handing the resolution to Grand Chief Clarence Pennier. "It is
meant to further ensure that such a tragedy will never be forgotten, nor
repeated."
Pennier, who received a standing ovation, thanked the senators for the
resolution, which was passed Monday night. The House passed a similar
resolution Wednesday.
"On behalf of the Sto:lo … I want to lift up my hands to you and
thank you," said Pennier, wearing a tribal blanket and a woven cedar
headpiece with mountain goat woven braids.
The resolution is not a formal apology from Washington state, which did
not become a state for another five years, in 1889.
After the resolution was presented, members of the Sto:lo (pronounced
STAH-lo) Nation, as well as members of the Quileute and Makah tribes
from Washington state, joined in the healing circle in the Rotunda.
Sto:lo Grand Chief Doug Kelly's voice boomed off the marble walls as a
sonorous chant in his native language called for unity and honored the
work by the Legislature.
"Things happen when they are meant to happen," Kelly said after the
ceremony. "What we had a chance to do here is to express a bit of
celebration, express prayers, honor songs and welcome songs to one
another."
Sam had been accused of killing a shopkeeper in Nooksack, in what is now
Whatcom County, Wash. Owen and others said there was convincing evidence
that the boy had nothing to do with the killing and was framed.
From Associated Press March, 2 2006
www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-healing2mar02,0,\
1023642.story
<http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-healing2mar02,0\
,1023642.story>
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Beating drums and deep, resonant chants calling for
unity and healing echoed in Washington state's Capitol on Wednesday in
remembrance of a 14-year-old Indian boy lynched 122 years ago just
across the border in Canada by a Washington Territory mob.
The healing circle in the Rotunda followed the presentation of a
resolution on the state Senate floor to one of several grand chiefs of
the Sto:lo Nation, the Canadian tribe of the slain boy, Louie Sam.
"Through this resolution, the Senate joins its peers in the government
of British Columbia, acknowledging the unfortunate historical injustice
to Louie Sam and the proud Sto:lo people," said Lt. Gov. Brad Owen
before handing the resolution to Grand Chief Clarence Pennier. "It is
meant to further ensure that such a tragedy will never be forgotten, nor
repeated."
Pennier, who received a standing ovation, thanked the senators for the
resolution, which was passed Monday night. The House passed a similar
resolution Wednesday.
"On behalf of the Sto:lo … I want to lift up my hands to you and
thank you," said Pennier, wearing a tribal blanket and a woven cedar
headpiece with mountain goat woven braids.
The resolution is not a formal apology from Washington state, which did
not become a state for another five years, in 1889.
After the resolution was presented, members of the Sto:lo (pronounced
STAH-lo) Nation, as well as members of the Quileute and Makah tribes
from Washington state, joined in the healing circle in the Rotunda.
Sto:lo Grand Chief Doug Kelly's voice boomed off the marble walls as a
sonorous chant in his native language called for unity and honored the
work by the Legislature.
"Things happen when they are meant to happen," Kelly said after the
ceremony. "What we had a chance to do here is to express a bit of
celebration, express prayers, honor songs and welcome songs to one
another."
Sam had been accused of killing a shopkeeper in Nooksack, in what is now
Whatcom County, Wash. Owen and others said there was convincing evidence
that the boy had nothing to do with the killing and was framed.