On May 5, 2014, legendary Nisqually Tribal leader Billy Frank Jr., passed away after a lifetime of fighting for Tribal fishing and land rights. Known as one of the greatest leaders in Pacific Northwest history, his life’s work led from being violently arrested at age 14 for exercising the right to fish to being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom a year after his death. Today Billy Frank Jr.’s son Willie Frank III, recently elected as Nisqually Tribal Chairman and one of the youngest leaders in his Tribe's history, continues these efforts. Over the next year, he will carry out the honoring of his father with a statue in Washington D.C. in Statuary Hall. As his father once said, “The fight is never over—the fight for who we are and our culture and our way of life.”
Director Statement
As my first film, this story began as a school project for a journalism class at Oregon State. While it is not a demonstration of cinematic filmmaking, the story of Billy Frank Jr. and now his son Willie is an essential part of Pacific Northwest history that more people should know about.
Director Biography - Caleb Jacobson
A self-taught outdoor and adventure photographer, Caleb Jacobson has been eager to begin his journey into filmmaking. Highlighting the unique resources, history and wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest are one of his top priorities. When not busy studying at Oregon State, Caleb enjoys spending time in outdoor rock climbing and mountaineering.
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Friday Harbor Film Festival wishes to thank Suzie Mygatt Wakefield for sponsoring the Student Film Competition.
- Year2021
- Runtime10 minutes
- DirectorCaleb Jacobson
- CastWillie Frank III, Hanford McCloud
On May 5, 2014, legendary Nisqually Tribal leader Billy Frank Jr., passed away after a lifetime of fighting for Tribal fishing and land rights. Known as one of the greatest leaders in Pacific Northwest history, his life’s work led from being violently arrested at age 14 for exercising the right to fish to being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom a year after his death. Today Billy Frank Jr.’s son Willie Frank III, recently elected as Nisqually Tribal Chairman and one of the youngest leaders in his Tribe's history, continues these efforts. Over the next year, he will carry out the honoring of his father with a statue in Washington D.C. in Statuary Hall. As his father once said, “The fight is never over—the fight for who we are and our culture and our way of life.”
Director Statement
As my first film, this story began as a school project for a journalism class at Oregon State. While it is not a demonstration of cinematic filmmaking, the story of Billy Frank Jr. and now his son Willie is an essential part of Pacific Northwest history that more people should know about.
Director Biography - Caleb Jacobson
A self-taught outdoor and adventure photographer, Caleb Jacobson has been eager to begin his journey into filmmaking. Highlighting the unique resources, history and wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest are one of his top priorities. When not busy studying at Oregon State, Caleb enjoys spending time in outdoor rock climbing and mountaineering.
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Friday Harbor Film Festival wishes to thank Suzie Mygatt Wakefield for sponsoring the Student Film Competition.
- Year2021
- Runtime10 minutes
- DirectorCaleb Jacobson
- CastWillie Frank III, Hanford McCloud