"Healing Our hearts"

Letter From The Pipe Carrier

Through out our culture, our teachers and elders talk of the need to heal the Sacred Hoop of Life. We know that the balance will ever be set right until that healing happens. We also understand that means a healing of the entire Sacred Hoop; our families, communities, tribes, our People, our Country and the many different peoples within it. I structured that list the way I did for a purpose, that being, that we also know we can't begin to heal any relationship or people outside our own until we heal those within our own.There in lies a problem.

While almost everyone wants to reach out to help those who are homeless, alcoholic, addicts, mentally ill, etc., there is a segment, a rather large segment, unfortunately, of our people, that are very often not only ignored, but actually shunned: the incarcerated. Admittedily, there are a number of groups and individuals out there reaching out to the incarcerated, but overall, within our community, we unfortunately are facing estrangement to varing degrees.

In some ways, I can understand the reasons behind it. It can be said of course, that we don't help at a time when our people are struggling for credibility and repect. There is also the embarrassment at the crimes we have committed, and the fact that in many instances, they go completely against everything that we, as a spiritual people, stand for. In addition, it an also be said, I suppose, that if we had been on the right path we wouldn't have committed our crimes in the first place, and wouldn't be in here. A somewhat distorted view, but a view.

I am the Bundle Keeper, and Pipe Carrier for the Native American Spiritual and Cultural Council at the Indiana State Prison. For some time we have been actively seeking a replacement for the Spiritual Advisor who had to leave us, but in the mean time, the position has been filled, very well, by the Catholic Priest here, a volunteer. We try to follow traditional ways as much as possible, and Father Paul has never tried to sway us from that path, or convert us, although, he's always there to help us when needed.

It wasn't long ago that Father Paul was on vacation traveling through the south, and happened upon a Native American community there. With us in mind as always, he told them of us and what we're trying to do here, and mentioned that we always have a need for sage, sweetgrass, and herbs. (We receive no money for these things from the state and depend on donations from our members and the occasional donation of herbs from the outside). This Spiritual Community was adamant about not assisting a bunch of inmates under any circumstances when he inquired about the chance of obtaining some sage for us.

On one hand I was disheartened to a point, because it seemed to almost negate whatever positive work we are doing here. I was also angered, because it was like writing us off. At the same time I discovered something a little amusing in it. The fact that it was almost akin to something that's perplexed our people for generations; the idea that Grandmother, and anything that grows from Her, can be possessed, bought, sold, and withheld. They were doing the very thing that our Ancestors fought and bled against.

At any rate, I don't relate that story nor my feelings behind it for the purpose of berating or shaming, hence, the lack of a name to this community down south. Instead, it's only an illustration of part of what I'm talking about. By the way, I hold no animosity or resentment toward them, or those like them. They do what they have to do for the reasons that they have to do it. Granted, twenty years ago, although I knew right from wrong and was struggling inside with the path that was calling me, I made the wrong choices. As have many of the people that live in this Iron House with me. I wish I could say that I was innocent and was wrongly imprisoned, but the fact remains that I wasn't, and I deserved to come here. I'm not on that path now, and have found within me, the peace that comes with knowing that we're fighting the good fight.

Without a doubt there are those within these walls, even our own brothers, that are using spirituality for their own personal gain. There are those who would seek outside help simply to run their own games and scams. But is it worth just disregarding and stereotyping all of us, quite probably punishing and holding back those who are on the Red Path?

The Sacred Hoop can never be healed under these circumstances. No hoop can be a completed circle until all of its members are included. I am assuming that if you're reading this, I'm more or less preaching to the choir, since you probably wouldn't have bothered checking out this site if you were completely anti-incarcerated. However, we need your help, too. Not just us, but every brother and sister that's incarcerated. We struggle each and everyday, the same kinds of struggles you have, as well as struggling against prison administrations that are cold and unfeeling, and prison life itself. There is absolutely nothing easy about following the Red Path in prison.

Earlier I mentioned that even within our own circle, there are no doubt those attending for their own reasons having nothing to do with spirituality or learning about and celebrating their heritage. They weed themselves out over time, and I'm content for the most part to let them do that, because along the way, we just might help show one of them the right way, and gain another brother for the struggle.

In parting, I have something for you to bear in mind. Statistics say that something like 98% of those incarcerated are going to eventually be back outside. They could easily be living in your community, neighborhood, even next door. Would you rather have him or her living there pretty much the same as when they went in, except even angrier, or would you rather they have used their time to learn about their traditions, ways, and spirituality?

Seems like an easy choice to me, but........

Kevin Henry
2002

Grandfather,
grant us your blessings....
Today let us love life,
let us know truth,
let us live by principals
and let us follow with honor and strong hearts
the path you have shown us...
Grant these blessings for all
our relations.....

Author Unknown

Poetry sent from ISP Nov. 25, 2001


"TEARS"

Columbus "discovered"
Washington "stressed"
Lincoln "fought"
Jackson "possessed"
and the
Redman "wept".

By Pam Taylor



"TO DIE IN PEACE"

Yesterday we cried for land,
Yet from Florida
to California we lost it all
Today we cry for rights,
But from Washington,
We hear of glorious promises...
For a tomorrow

Tomorrow we will be asking
For survival
Just to let us alone....
To die in peace.

By Pam Taylor



"LITTLE DID WE KNOW"

We got together
A long time ago
And we decided

We will be as the Eagle
Soar with pride, and keep the
Mountain top our shelter

We would live by the streams-
so that the fish would serve as food
And to keep pure the water,
so we might drink freely.

We would walk the winding trails-
So not to destroy the vast forest-
And the secrets shared by the many.

Bird songs, the animals language
And the whispers of the wind.
And we decided....

That what the Great Spirit had granted-
Would be taken care of in His honor.

And each living thing would have a meaning,
And each deceased thing would rest in peace.

Little did we know...
The white man would try to destroy us......


By Pam Taylor