RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE PRISONS

Religious freedom for Native American people has been historically denied by the U.S. Government to the point of persecution. Not until 1978, through a joint resolution of the 95th Congress and its enactment of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA), was some relief felt by Native peoples. Yet obstacles and challenges to the rights of a people to observe a relationship with the Creator continue to exist.

One of the most dramatic examples of these challenges is within the prison systems of the U.S. First, Native people are systematically removed to prisons distant from their homes making it virtually impossible to have visitations from family, friends and spiritual leaders. This practice of distancing a people from their home lands is unique and exclusive to Native people. Native spiritual observances are as diverse as the many tribes of these lands, which means someone from the midwest sent to the east has no opportunity to meet with spiritual leaders familiar to his/her heritage.

A second is the refusal by many prison officials to allow for religious ceremonies such as the Sweat Lodge Ceremony. Again this refusal is unique to Native people in that all other religious persuasions enjoy the opportunity to have their ceremonies complete and unencumbered by harassment or denial from prison officials. The First Amendment guaranteeing religious freedom supplemented by the AIRFA has proved completely inadequate in insuring Native people the right to their spiritual observances. This is a pitiful and shameful commentary on this country's commitment to human rights.

Third is the complete disregard for the need of sacred instruments necessary to Native ceremony. Sacred pipes, eagle feathers, various herbs and the wearing of long hair are all integral parts of ceremony necessary for Native spiritual expression. Once again denials by the prison system are practiced against Native people ~ an indication of a strong anti-Indian attitude by prison officials. It would appear that this attitude is reflective of the moral character of this country and its government.

Fourth is the lack of willingness by prison officials to recognize that native ceremonies are not  on a linear, weekly basis. Native American spiritual observances are guided by cycles, seasons and other nature-related occurances. The disregard for Native ceremony to take place in harmony with those occurances in nature on which the ceremony is founded is to deny Native people their religious freedom.

WE URGE THAT NATIVE AMERICAN PRISONERS BE: HOUSED WITHIN THEIR BOUNDARIES; ACCORDED FULL CEREMONIAL RIGHTS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR INDIVIDUAL HERITAGES; GIVEN FULL USE OF ALL SACRED INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED FOR NATIVE SPIRITUAL CEREMONY; ALLOWED TO HAVE THEIR SPIRITUAL CEREMONIES IN HARMONY AND CONSISTENT WITH THE NATURAL OCCURANCES UPON WHICH THOSE CEREMONIES ARE FOUNDED. WE FURTHER URGE THAT ALL INDIAN ATTITUDES OF PRISON AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS BE ADDRESSED AND REQUEST THE ENACTMENT OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT WHICH IS CURRENTLY IN CONGRESS.

Back to Walk for Justice Table of Contents