Ongoing battle to bring back old traditions

EDITORIAL

Page 6

Ever since the arrival of the whiteman, Native people have waged a continuing battle to preserve their traditional ways and spiritual beliefs.

Sometimes it seemed like a losing battle.

As a result of determined efforts to "Christianize' Canada's First People, many ceremonies were forbidden and many sacred objects were seized which later found their way into museums and private collection near and far.

In recent years, the extent of that suppression and persecution has decreased and many ceremonies and other traditional and spiritual practices have been revised. Some have even been accepted into formerly totally non-Native activities in which Native people are involved. A good example is the changes in the Roman Catholic Church, which now allows the Pipe and Sweetgrass to be part of Native church services.

Museums, too, are admitting that many of the artifacts in their collections rightfully belong to the descendants of the original owners from whom they were taken. Unfortunately, not all museums acknowledge that fact, and even those who do, try to limit the significance of these objects by alleging that they are not sacred. In addition, many have the audacity to contend that they should continue to hold these objects because Indians would not care for them as well. While they say it is because museums have better control of the humidity and light which could damage the objects, this somehow doesn't lessen the arrogance they show in presuming that Native people are incapable of properly preserving their most precious artifacts.

While progress has been made in mainstream society in allowing Native people to restore ceremonies and practices which should have been their right all along- and which no one should have the power to allow or disallow - the battle still goes on in prisons.

While chaplains of various faiths have been allowed in even the worst prisons throughout modern history, it is only recently that Elders have been recognized as being similarly acceptable to minister to the spiritual needs of Native inmates.

It is only recently that Native Brotherhoods have won some of their many battles to gain the right to hold Pipe ceremonies, use Sweetgrass and otherwise practice their spiritual rituals within Canada's penal institutions.

In the most recent case, a judge overruled the Crown's contention that a Native inmate should not be allowed to have his medicine bundle in his cell with him because it contained objects that might be harmful to himself or other inmates.

It would seem obvious that just as much damage can be done with a crucifix as with an eagle feather.

This selective attitude towards religious practices in prisons simply underscores the wide gap between traditional Native culture and today's criminal justice system. Is it any wonder that Native people are constantly feeling persecuted within it, and at odds with it?