This week, we have joined the artist and organizers who have activated a nationwide wave of creative resistance, Fall of Freedom. Check out their site for events scheduled around the country and enjoy this PonyXpress special edition.
Making medicine permeates the Native culture in prison. Throughout the community the Indigenous life is practiced with attention to the spirit and to the generosity of the culture. Matt Reyes, sub-chief of the Lakota Oyate-ki Native Club writes:
”I was raised with the Native sides of my family; however, the family I was always with didn’t practice their OLD WAYS heritage. They only did what they knew. Now, I did to to a culture camp when I was around 5 or 6 years old and made a hand drum and participated in a sweat lodge ceremony. Later on, at age 12, I participate in learning a traditional song and drumming on the big drum at culture camp. At ages 17-22, I had participated in maybe four sweat lodge and pipe ceremonies. So, I had little heritage passed down to me from the OLD WAYS, while growing up before I coming to prison.” What does it mean to learn the old ways in prison? What adaptations are necessary? And how does a culture grow, evolve, change, thrive? | TDS
From Many Voices by Hugh Crow
Why does my will become weak?
In a world full of oily shadows,
I’d think the cold depths of survival would speak …
At least the curse of a broken mirror blows.In a world full of oily shadows,
There’s a crime that crushes called kindness for blindness
At least release the curse a broken mirror blows,
So when bringing light we’d shine in kindness.
There’s a crime that crushes called kindness of blindess
I’d think the cold depths of survival would speak.
So when bringing light into shine in kindness.
Why does my will become weak?
Smoldering Ember Bark by Melissa Black
Walking over to the tree
as it smolders, I am still
shaking within my skin.
She begins smudging me
as I approach her.
Smoke and Embers or Was It Bark by Rebecca Adams
You have found good soil and have planted good seed and regrowth is beckoning your name. Keep reaching and seeking the light. Your Creator had to put you to the fire to purify you. Ridding you of all that no longer serves life, to give new life to you.
Beatty Trust (Circles) by Rarin Qualls
Discovering myself came in a time when my shattered spirit clung to any light available. As I teetered on the abyss of insanity (during this time of captivity) letting it become the end of me was not an option. Broken by man’s laws, sure. Still neither confinement nor this “whitewashed mentality” of punishment and greed could destroy this Indian Heart that resides deep within me.
An excerpt from Indigenous Times, Snake River Correctional Institution’s monthly newsletter:
When we are closer to our ways we are strong and a better Circle, tribe, and nation. We have lasted for centuries and remain, our ancestors fought and had to develop such strength and this is one of the gifts they passed down to us all, one is certain, we will endure. We have an obligation to honor our ancestors in their way. So, let’s get back to tribal and council-minded thinking, not institutional and colonial ways.
We end our special edition reprising Mother, the show we produced for the community supported radio station XRAY.fm in Portland. This 30-minute broadcast includes writing from Oregon State Penitentiary by Jimmy Kashi, Jeff Sanders, AbdurRashid Al’Wadud, Nolan James Briden, Lakota Oyate-ki drumming, and Jeff Witt. Music was composed and performed by Le’Var Howard. | TDS