Improve your understanding about one of the greatest human tragedies in Canadian history. A tragedy with profound political and economic consequences still being felt today.
Part of the materials prepared for a documentary film about the B.C. smallpox epidemics of 1862/63, this script succinctly presents much of the key evidence concerning the allegations of native Elders that settlers intentionally spread smallpox to kill them for their land.
Synopsis
Based on survivor accounts, native elders from across British Columbia have long taught that the devastating smallpox epidemics that swept B.C. in 1862/63 were artificially created. Natives died by the tens of thousands in only one year. Several native nations lost more than 70 percent of their whole number.
Natives believed that the settler community under Gov. James Douglas intended to kill them in order to impose British institutions without treaties and to seize control of their resources without paying.
This period closed with B.C. martyring the Tsilhqot’in Chiefs at a mass hanging in 1864. The Tsilhqot’in had confronted settlers found spreading smallpox and executed some under their laws. They also had killed 14 settlers to prevent the introduction of smallpox at Bute Inlet.
In The Great Darkening, preparing for a documentary, Shawn Swanky has created a dramatic narrative from archival records and local traditions that allow the audience to hear the Tsilhqot’in War Leader, settlers, officials and newspapers describe in their own words what happened.
Voices appearing in the script.
Primary Narrator:
Provides contextual information and moves the story along.
Native Voice:
Provides background from a native perspective and balances the Primary Narrator to keep in the forefront that this presentation represents an integration of knowledge derived from both native and settler sources.
Colonial Newspaper:
One voice represents all newspapers. Newspapers then were excessively wordy. Some stories have been edited or paraphrased while keeping the sense; some archaic words are updated.
Colonial Official:
One voice is used for all colonial officials.
Settler’s Voice:
Presents settlers in their own voice. Instead of introducing several speakers who may appear just once, only one voice is used.
Tsilhqot’in War Leader:
These speeches are created from various direct sources.
Native Elder:
Presents oral traditions.
Primary Narrator:
Provides contextual information and moves the story along.
Native Voice:
Provides background from a native perspective and balances the Primary Narrator to keep in the forefront that this presentation represents an integration of knowledge derived from both native and settler sources.
Colonial Newspaper:
One voice represents all newspapers. Newspapers then were excessively wordy. Some stories have been edited or paraphrased while keeping the sense; some archaic words are updated.
Colonial Official:
One voice is used for all colonial officials.
Settler’s Voice:
Presents settlers in their own voice. Instead of introducing several speakers who may appear just once, only one voice is used.
Tsilhqot’in War Leader:
These speeches are created from various direct sources.
Native Elder:
Presents oral traditions.
Amazon Reader Review
Excellent research and unveiling of a hard truth for First Nations and colonists alike to come to terms with. Our forebears have much to answer for. The apology for the intentional spreading of smallpox is a tiny step forward on the path of peace. This text unveils hard truths. They will take time to settle in.
– Trish Oliver, Five out of Five Stars
A note from the author.
“The truth may not be pretty but the hunt for truth is a beautiful thing and, in due course, the truth will set you free, as the saying goes,” Shawn says. “It bothers me that we make all these movies in the west coast of Canada but almost none of them are about the west coast of Canada. People say that Canadian history is comparatively boring but this is not true. The reality seems that the truth is terrible and we find it hard to face it. I am grateful for all the patience people have shown me as I learn our history and search for powerful ways to do it justice for a broad audience.”
Learn more about Shawn here.
