Native elder hired to help assess inmates

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The pleas of Native inmates at Edmonton Institution who want to be assessed differently from other inmates seeking release has been granted, says the chief of the Native

Brotherhood.

The decision improves the odds of Natives getting paroled, said 38-year-old Willie Blake last week.

The institution recently hired well-known Native elder Joe Couture on a trial basis to do assessments on Native inmates seeking early release, said Rick Dyhm, chief of leisure activities

at the institution.

Couture, who holds a doctorate in psychology, works on contract with the prison's psychology department.

He has done eight assessments of inmates including six last week.

In assessing the individuals, Couture uses Native ceremonies such as the pipe ceremony.

"It provides the opportunity for Native individuals to really open up to anyone doing this type of assessment," said Blake in a recent interview inside the maximum security penitentiary,

northeast of Edmonton.

"Once they're in a pipe ceremony, they're more apt to open p to the elder for an exchange to get going. It's just better all the way around," he said.

Under the old system, individuals would have gone to a regional psychiatric centre such as Saskatoon for assessment, said Dyhm.

Couture's first two assessments were accepted by the parole board and the individuals were paroled, according to Blake.

"Joe Couture is a Native himself and he understands Native problems. There's been a lack of consideration (by the administration). They're dealing with different cultures here. The

psychology department has failed to this point to really take that into consideration. That's where Mr. Couture can really make a difference," he said.

Keith Purves, program director with Native Counselling Services, called the hiring of Couture "a breakthrough.

"You've got someone recognized not just because of his experience as an elder but also his educational qualifications. He comes from both."

Non-Native skepticism surrounding the advice of elders is slowly fading away, he said.

"I support the whole initiative of having Native elders in the institution offering spiritual and cultural advice," said Purves.

"Elders teach you values and respect for yourself. Having respect for yourself, you have respect for others," he said.

"I think correctional staff are beginning to see the effect it's having on residents," said Purves.

Native spirituality has taken a foothold in the penitentiary system," Blake said. "But there's a long ways to go yet."

"New prisoners for a long time were getting thrown in the hole for substance abuse and for letting their anger get out of control. Now with the elders here, there's been a real

decrease in the number of Native people getting thrown in isolation and it's already made a difference, which the administration acknowledges," he said.

Dyhm agreed with that assessment.

Native practices, the Native elders' program, bi-monthly sweat lodges, family services, traditional food and cultural activities have combined to have a positive effect on the behavior of

Native inmates in the institution, he said.

The institution also has two Native counsellors one assists Native inmates in making release plans while the other organizes Native programs.

The elders' program will have its greatest impact when authorities see Native inmates stay out of trouble after being released from jail, said Blake.

About 40 per cent of the inmate population is Native, according to Blake, who comes from Fort McPherson in the Northwest Territories.