A Legacy Remembered: Join Executive Producer Squil-le-he-le for Resident Orca and an Evening of Community Conversation
- FHFF
- Jul 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 5
On Tuesday, July 16, you are invited to experience the award-winning documentary film Resident Orca, which tells the story of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut—also known as Tokitae or Lolita—and her decades in captivity far from her Salish Sea home.
The screening begins at 7 PM at the San Juan Community Theatre, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A featuring Executive Producer and storyteller Squil-le-he-le (Raynell Morris), who appears in the film, along with Director Simon Schneider, Dr. Michael Weiss of the Center for Whale Research, and Dr. Deborah Giles of the SeaDoc Society. Together, they will share perspectives on Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s story and the ongoing efforts to protect the Southern Resident Killer Whales.
Below, Squil-le-he-le shares her personal statement about this journey and why this film matters.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER STATEMENT
My relative, Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (Lolita/Tokitae) was captured in the 1970 orca roundup in Penn Cove, Washington from the L-pod, Southern Resident Killer Whales. She was sold to the Miami Seaquarium, Miami Florida where she lived for over 50 years. I campaigned for many years to have her returned to her natal waters, the Salish Sea.
In 2020, on the 50th anniversary of her capture, we realized we needed to tell the world about her life’s journey, and we developed a partnership with filmmakers Sarah Sharkey Pearce and Simon Schneider who were filming in the Pacific Northwest with a trusted friend of Lummi Nation, Seattle Times Journalist, Lynda Mapes. Our collaboration took time to develop as I needed to have a voice in how Sk’aliCh’elh tenaut’s story was told and could ensure the project reflected Lhaq’temish values and my journey in an authentic way. Nothing could have prepared me for how the story would unfold over these past 4 years.
The public presentation of this film is very important for Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s legacy and Lummi Nation. In presenting this film we have a great opportunity to learn from Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s journey and to do better for her family, the Southern Resident Killer Whales. To protect and restore our waters, and our entire ecosystem before it’s too late.
Squil-le-he-le (Raynell Morris)
Executive Producer, Resident Orca
Join us for this special screening and conversation. Reserve your seat to see Resident Orca on the big screen and hear directly from Squil-le-he-le and the panel of community voices who will share their experiences, insights, and hopes for the future of the Southern Resident orcas.
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