Pow Wows and Traditional Ceremonies Make Their Return

November 23, 2022

By
Brendan Baptiste (electronic mail)

Division of Corrections

Native American Heritage Day, November 25^th, pays tribute to indigenous individuals and their immense contributions to the USA. The Native American Heritage Day Invoice was handed within the 2013 by the Legislature of the State of Washington. The invoice was created to encourage individuals of all backgrounds to give attention to historical past, achievements, and contributions of Indigenous individuals on the day after Thanksgiving.

Return of Pow Wows to Corrections

At Washington State Division of Corrections’ (DOC) jail amenities, this 12 months’s celebrations have a look at the return of pow wows and blanketing ceremonies throughout the state as many COVID restrictions have been lifted, permitting for in-person gatherings as soon as once more.

Pow wows are a gathering held by Native American and First Nation Communities. These gatherings permit indigenous individuals to bounce, sing, and socialize with one another as they honor their tradition. With 4.9% of Washington State’s incarcerated inhabitants figuring out as American Indian or Alaska Native, these celebrations are an essential strategy to keep related to their revered cultures and communities.

Airway Heights Pow Wow

A pow wow at Airway Heights took a whole lot of preparation to make sure the ceremony was culturally applicable. These in attendance handmade clothes and complicated beaded jewellery akin to medallions and earrings. Particular care was considered for the meals that was supplied.

We have now the buffalo stew, the salmon, that are all Native American enhancements that they don’t usually get, says Kay Heinrich, Affiliate Superintendent of Packages.

Many attendees will come wearing conventional regalia. The brightly coloured costume can maintain deep that means to those that put on them. Many incarcerated are discovering themselves reconnecting to their tradition and proudly stitching regalia for the primary time due to these powwows. The power to construct a deeper connection to their tradition is usually a useful gizmo to avoid the temptations that will have landed them in jail.

DOC amenities throughout the state are additionally resuming pow wows, a full schedule could be discovered, right here.

Some pow wows have even been lined within the information, verify these articles out for the complete story!

Blanketing Ceremonies

Blanketing ceremonies are additionally making a welcomed return throughout the state.

Nancy Dufraine, who not too long ago retired after serving as DOC’s Director of Tribal Relations since 2017, was honored final week by the company’s Alaskan Native/Native America Worker Useful resource Group with a blanketing ceremony. These ceremonies are a strategy to present respect for many who have made important contributions to their communities.

The gathering additionally featured a speaking circle, potluck and sharing of songs and tales.

Thanks, Nancy, in your invaluable work through the years with households, communities and tribes to maintain them protected and supported on their path to wellness and stability.

Tribal Relations

For extra info on DOC tribal relationships, please go to our Tribal Relations webpage.