Indigenous spirituality inside Oregon prisons

Native Americans are incarcerated at disproportionate rates in Oregon, as they are in prisons across the United States. Volunteers with the local nonprofit Red Lodge Transition Services are determined to give hope to these women and men and reduce recidivism - by bringing in Native American spiritual practices and communities of support inside prison walls.
Presiding tribal elders of the Umatilla and Warm Springs granted OPB special permission to document Native American religious service programs inside and outside prison settings throughout 2019.
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[@victorialawton-diez761]

This is such connective, humanitarian work. We need to connect; we evolved as social creatures. If you can have a positive connection back to your roots, spirit, culture, people-that is so powerful. I love the part about restorative justice over punishment. Learn a lesson, own it, and grow from it. Bless these incredibly caring people.

[@marieknight9385]

My family has been providing the traditional foods and running the ceremonies for many generations and I'm glad they do because it's healing for our people to pray for the people even when they make mistakes, part of the reason people commit crimes and use substances is because they don't have those connections or ceremony to help them make good choices. There's also family on the other side serving time, some may never get out but this cultural is not just an entitlement it's our rights and responsibilities to take our ceremony where it's needed the most and yes prisoners need it just like any free person. It's disheartening to see so much negativity in the comments but I also know that some people still have healing to do. Being a free individual doesn't make you better than anyone serving time because any one of us could end up there because of a simple mistake too

[@thebambi5817]

What the American gov did to the indigenous peoples was terrible and most likely still is in some respects. But you have some of the knowledge of the past and perhaps in time can rebuild what was once lost, it may not be exactly the same as your forefathers, but what is? everything changes over time that's just a fact of life even the mountains change to become plains rivers paths change Nothing can remain the same, build new structures and forms show strength in your history know the pride that comes from deep in the past. Hold that deep regard and respect for the past, live each day as it comes to you.

[@sv8313]

The natives did it to eachother far before Columbus even dreampt of coming to this continent. They constantly waged war for land and captured natives who were from other tribes were used as slaves. They arent the calm peaceful culture that American media makes them out to be, especially today.

[@michaelvance1118]

Just be ready to flee when their given license to kill us all. Because they dont hold with the Christian hypocrisy of " praying for your enemy, " none of this shit is my fault!!

[@thebambi5817]

@@sv8313 I Bet they didn't kill over 1 million buffalo to starve each other or trade blankets with smallpox on them not to mention many more truly ugly hateful things just to put it into perspective for you, which actually put what Germany did into perspective When Europeans arrived the population was 145 Million in 1491 by 1691 the population had fallen by 130 million, and tribal war has always taken slaves no matter what continent you come from, 130 million deaths still doesn't give you the right to refer to the original peoples of the land as "them" Pick up a book learn!

[@sharontrujillo7793]

@@thebambi5817 ....❣️

[@dustinsaidtoney2547]

@@sv8313 no group of people has any kind of monopoly on poor behavior, but let's not use the poor behaviors of one group of people to justify another's. It's true that people have done terrible things to each other. ...and the things that white people have done have been unusual in the scope and magnitude. In the western hemisphere every country from Canada to Argentina speaks European languages, look at Australia and Africa. The only continent Europeans haven't messed with the people on is Antarctica (no other people). So, yes, there were rough patches before the colonizers came, but it's disenguous to say it was the same thing and I think at least on some level we all know that, even if you're not a history major.

[@chieflongsmoke3672]

Natives and Oregon people where you at

[@vidajordan9803]

I've been to the Pow Wow and it is healing at Walla Walla in Wa. State. Also Pendleton Ore. It means a day of connecting. Even the other races are included. Polynesians add their dances. Even as a white person I am inspired as this going to Pow Wow is part of my life and I love the respectful atmosphere of it.🌿💖🌿

[@frankpizarro720]

It's not just Native Americans in prison

[@khiem1939]

Having native ancestors in the Oregon Territory who migrated to Fort Vancouver from Canada in the 1840's to work for the Hudson Bay Company, most never moved to Government Reservations and the eventual loss of their pride and freedom, but mainstreamed with the white settlers, claimed land and became farmers, workers and good American Citizens! As far as I can ascertain, none of them ever ended up in the Oregon or Washington penal systems as inmates.

[@srhdfhcvbftg8067]

It's crazy how many people are in prison for nonviolent crimes. Especially since BIPOC are disproportionately on prison because of racist institutions. These people are doing amazing work humanizing inmates and helping them connect to their culture.

[@ponolovefarms3926]

Bipoc racism out of this? 😆

[@DefineLines]

Bipoc commit more crimes my dude.

[@floralrune]

@@DefineLines white man moment

[@codyking8013]

How many people seen there cousin in this video ✋🏽

[@S..T..E..V..E]

🖐

[@shmeaty5123]

Their human bodies may be withering but their spiritual bodies still continue to grow

[@frankpizarro720]

I have been to Native American dances in New Mexico it was an experience I'll never forget as well the poverty it opened my eyes I wish you all the best

[@FM-ki4dl]

Im Mexican I so wish we could connect to our ancient native spirituality instead of catholism😮

[@barksum9882]

What was the crime for? If you Break Native law or any law You deserve to go to prison, I’m native and I understand this but this doesn’t give you a get out of jail card

[@codyking8013]

Yea you have to be black for that right?

[@getdownorlaydown763]

🍎

[@tiffanyscourt1729]

So sad. Bfore the Mericans arrived they were not criminals. Now they are stripped away , contained and restraint. Although your body is prisoned ,may your spirits travel around and room free between feelings , time and worlds. All is connected. Happens in Europe with Sapmi , in Oz with Aboriginals . My energy joins yeh.

[@AusDenBergen]

I absolutely love this. If only my people were allowed to practice their indigenous spirituality. I'm soo glad for them, though. Something actually humane for once.

[@anothermiddleschoolburnout8816]

Comments don't pass the vibe check

[@nonametrigger]

You mean no dead meme no like beggers and spam bots

[@anothermiddleschoolburnout8816]

@@nonametrigger Excuse me?

[@DefineLines]

Something tells me your version of vibe is childish and backwards

[@chieflongsmoke3672]

Never really knew my mom but I know shes been to coffie creek 😂😂she not native

[@someonewhoexist]

Just "hopi" ng to get out soon ?

[@dalewilson908]

Klamath / Modoc / Yahooskin :)

[@Coolbindus]

reupload?

[@Virgilcarvajal]

Ok

[@therealq2812]

And most of these natives preyed upon their own....

[@marissasantillan-guzman3201]

Who taught you that?

[@therealq2812]

@@marissasantillan-guzman3201 I worked at TRCI...I've read the details of their crimes (police reports, court docs, etc)

[@codyking8013]

Facts

[@tomgabriel5150]

And so do white people. Whats your point?

[@DefineLines]

Don’t bother. They won’t take responsibility for being criminals. Only victimss

[@michaelvance1118]

And now lets legalize hard drugs. Wow

[@marissasantillan-guzman3201]

You can’t be relied on to make factual comments when “decriminalized” and “legalized” hold no distinction to you.

[@vidajordan9803]

Its a medical problem when used for personal use. Distribution is another story usually do to poverty or greed.

[@haydenbrofers9970]

Wheres the double dislike button?

[@MatthewJamesKent]

none of these inmates none of these criminals have ever been to a pow wow until they got locked up and then they're allowed out of their cells to go to a pow wow and have fun they're not there for religious purposes these people are sick

[@lauragoin1227]

Who cares all criminals turn to God. All of them.

[@nwcarpenter2878]

Criminals don't deserve salmon while in prison.

[@animalkingdom2871]

Salmon?!😂