[StBernard] Documentary on Islenos of St. Bernard Parish airs tonight in Chalmette

[Westley Annis]

Documentary on Islenos of St. Bernard Parish airs tonight in Chalmette
By Bob Warren, The Times-Picayune 
March 12, 2010, 2:18PM
The St. Bernard Parish Film Commission, in conjunction with Los Islenos
Heritage and Cultural Society, will present the documentary, "Louisiana's
Lost Treasure: The Islenos," tonight at 7 in the St. Bernard Parish Council
Chambers in Chalmette,

The address is 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive.

Isleno descendants Samantha Perez and Joshua Robin produced and directed the
documentary as a film project for Southeastern Louisiana University in
Hammond in 2009, St. Bernard Parish government said in a news release. The
film is an overview of the cultural and historical legacies of the Canary
Islanders, or Islenos, who settled in Louisiana between 1778 and 1783 and
founded St. Bernard Parish in 1780.

The film also explores the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the demographics
of the Isleno community. More than 67,000 people resided in St. Bernard
prior to Hurricane Katrina. About two-thirds of that population traced its
ancestry in whole or in part to Canary Islands colonists, the news release
said.

"The St. Bernard Parish Film Commission plans to sponsor monthly screenings
of film work produced by local artists in Louisiana," said Ryan Fink, film
commission director. 

A reception will immediately follow the documentary. For additional
information, please call Ryan Fink at 504-650-1010 or Dot Benge