The St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s Dismantling Racism Commission will be showing the award-winning film Sugarcane at the Scharmann Theatre, located at Jamestown Community College.

The film is a tribute to the way of life of the Native people, and will further the commission’s goal of creating a greater sense of understanding amongst members of the community.

The film takes a dive into a moment of international shock concerning the native American community, that being the moment that unmarked graves were found on the grounds of a Canadian-Indian school run by the Catholic Church. The event, which occurred in 2021, had a widespread impact by giving a renewed attention to the devastation caused by western Native American boarding schools. For many generations, children from indigenous families were removed and forced to go to these schools. It was at these schools that many children would experience abuse, neglect, cultural erosion, and traumatizing events. Sugarcane takes a deep dive into this history, showing how these schools were designed to break down indigenous families and traditions. While a brutal display of reality, the film is able to portray the strength and perseverance of those in these communities. The film gives praise to the survivors that have been forced to manage these life-long traumas, and shows the resilience of a community that is strong enough to show resistance through survival.

St. Luke’s Rector Luke Fodor spoke on the creation of the dismantling racism commission, and how the group has been utilizing events such as this one to aid in achieving their goals. Fodor stated the commission was created in response to the racial awakening that swept the country following the killing of George Floyd in May, 2020. While Fodor noted that the diocese had been conceptualizing the idea beforehand, this event cemented the need for its creation. The group asks important questions that face the community, promote equity, and ensure that history is understood on a deeper level. Fodor also stated that the group sometimes works alongside similar partnering organizations. Fodor specifically drew reference to Sacred Ground and the IDEA coalition, both of which similarly work to dismantle break down barriers.

“This is a film that really invites people to think about the relationship to the Indigenous people of this country, and the way that western expansion not only appropriated people’s lands, but also kind of forced inculturation and stripped people of their human dignity,” said Fodor.

Fodor noted that it always remains easier to stay within one’s comfort zone, but that this is not where any progress can be made. When you exit your comfort zone and stretch into another space it can allow one to have a better understanding of life, said Fodor. This message extends to what Fodor hopes people will walk away from this film understanding, which is the importance of proper humility and cultural curiosity. Additionally, people will hopefully walk away asking questions about ways that the future can be improved based on past problems, said Fodor.

Anybody is welcome to attend the screening with no cost involved. The screening will take place today, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. For more information call 716-483-6405 or email stlukes@stlukesjamestown.org.