Regional News

Colville Tribes Teams with War Pony Pictures to Tell Snʔayckstx (Sinixt) story


Jan 17, 2020

“Older Than The Crown” follows the trial of Sinixt tribal member and retired Fish & Wildlife Officer, Rick Desautel, who in 2010 was charged with hunting as a non-resident and without a license in Canada. Rick harvested an elk on the ancestral land of the Sinixt people near Vallican, British Columbia. To the Sinixt, hunting on their ancestral land is a right gifted to them by Creator, but was made illegal in 1897.  In 1956, to pave the way for hydro-electric development, the Canadian government unjustly declared them extinct in Canada, despite knowing that a large number of Sinixt were living on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington State. The Desautel hunting case has not only allowed the Sinixt people to bring light to their unjust extinction by the Canadian government, but also to abolish it once and for all.

Rodney Cawston, Chairman of the Colville Confederated Tribes, is celebrating the release of “Older Than the Crown”:

“This documentary is a tribute to the strength and resilience of generations of our people who struggled against overwhelming colonial forces and fought for our very survival. Having at least part of our story finally told is very gratifying.  For well over 150 years, the Sinixt have sacrificed and lost so much.  Rick Desautel honors all of our ancestors and this film is for them.”

The world premiere of “Older Than The Crown” is on February 8th, 2020 at 7 PM at the Garland Theater in Spokane, Washington State.   Canadian dates to follow.  Advance tickets will be available January 20th, 2020 at 12 PM through  www.eventbrite.com for $5.00 which will include a free “Older Than The Crown” poster or at the door.  All ticket sale proceeds will go towards “The Journey To Ottawa,” a fundraiser to assist tribal members, youth, and elders to attend the Supreme Court hearing later this year.  Panel discussion to follow featuring:  Rick and Linda Desautel Ceremonial Hunters, Mark Underhill Lead Attorney, Rodney Cawston Chairman of the Colville Confederated Tribes and Derrick LaMere Director/Producer.

Local showings after the premier include Gonzaga University, which will host a showing of the documentary and lecture on Sunday February 9th at 5pm at Jundt Auditorium and Eastern Washington University, which will host a showing on Monday February 10th in the PUB (Nysether Community Room) at 12-2 pm.


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