Indigenous Spirituality in Prison

by: Daniel Thomas

Native Inmates face challenges that others do not because their religious needs are poorly understood. This originates form the fact that Native beliefs are either misinterpreted or disregarded and continues having problems being recognized as equivalent to other religions. Other religions are allowed to observe holidays, practices, have successes with claims protecting religious dietary practices, and have access to the counsel leaders of their particular belief system. Contrary to notions of popular culture, there exists no single religious practice that encompasses all Native people. Native rites are highly diverse and vary in a multitude of elements from one tribe to the next. Most facility chaplains view Native Spirituality unfavorably and believe it to be frivolous and absurd. Visiting elders are often harassed, intimidated, and their legitimacy questioned by prison staff. The free exercise of religion is a cardinal right of all people, and the denial of one group’s rights will ultimately impact the freedom of every one.

Search, Print, and Send:

1. Inmate religious beliefs and practices: outline for religious faith groups/Native American

2. Know your rights - Freedom of Religion

3. Native American Languages Act - Declaration of Policy (click here)

Natives still experience internal colonialism, forced assimilation, exploitation, discrimination, and cultural degradation. One of the steps required to achieve equality will be the allowance and encouragement of Native religious practice and spiritual observance in prisons.

OYATE KI NIPIKTA CHA LECHAMU WELO!!

Comments by: Stacy

Freedom of religion and First Amendment rights seem to be vastly overlooked and ignored Native American Spirituality. White culture in America has set the norms and ideals for morality and right vs. wrong. So, when prisons ban things like tobacco products and smoke from prisons, they immediately restrict many sacred Native spiritual practices. Indigenous inmates have to struggle to be allowed the most basic spiritual rights and tools. For Daniel, getting hold of a simple medicine bag was a long, lengthy, hard-fought process with the chaplain of the institution where he is being held. Most things he asks for, like language materials, are denied. Chaplains are supposed to be be non-denominational and non-judgmental of all inmate spiritual needs, but that is NOT the case. By Federal Law, inmates like Daniel should have some kind of representation available to them - like access to tribal elders. This is not allowed for him.

It is imperative that Native people and their allies work for the spiritual freedom and representation of their fellow Natives behind bars. Write local, state, and federal jails and prisons. Tell the wardens to make sure Native inmates are accommodated spiritually and to institute programs that ensure this will always be the case. They should always be allowed to have basics like tobacco, sage, palo santo, etc. Language resources, access to elders, access to spiritual literature, and access to sacred tools and materials must be allowed and even encouraged by prison staff.

Please find some resources below, and let me know if you need ANY help organizing petitions or letter writing campaigns.

Protections for Native Spiritual Practices in Prison (narf.org)

ACLU - What to do if you're experiencing religious discrimination in prison

ACLU - Prisoner's Rights Project

The Struggle for Native American Spiritual Freedom in Prison - Article