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American Indian Issues
by Sue Buck
December 9, 2001

Dear Columbus Free Press Editors,

I recently started thinking about a topic which I had never thought much about before, and I probably would rather not think about it now, however; my conscience will not allow me to disregard what our society is doing to those less fortunate, the people in the low income and poverty economic brackets. The majority of our prisoners are not the ones you read about in the headlines. Statistics indicate that many in these income brackets are of minority races and when they are sentenced to prison, they are the ones most likely to serve a longer sentence. Often, because of what they learn and endure in the prison system they return to prison and the cycle begins. They do not have the tools with which to turn their lives around. In some cases they become hardened criminals and from a selfish point of view it does not make sense to incarcerate people, make their problems worse than they were before entering prison, and then release them into society. This, of course, sets up the potential risk of more and more victims within out society.

Since we taken everything from the American Indians, their lands and their way of life, they have become one of the most vulnerable peoples to this cycle entered through poverty. I respectfully request that you look into the fact that the American Indians are being denied their right to freedom of religion. We have taken everything else away, we need to at least make sure this right is no longer violated. I was taught that the pilgrims came to America seeking freedom of religion. Why then, has it been that throughout the years the American Indians have been denied that same right or faced unbelievable discrimination because of their beliefs?

I personally feel that there is much that we non-Indians could learn from the Indians. Their spirituality is based on a reverence for all like and a deep concern for our Mother Earth. Perhaps they are truly the ones to lead us out of the path of environmental destruction that our society has created. What I believe, however, is irrelevant; all people should have the right to freedom of religion.

I feel that allowing the American Indian prisoners to practice their religions would benefit society as well. There cannot be a healing without the benefit of freedom to practice their religion. If the prisoners are unable to heal and put their lives back together, then there is a great chance that they will end up back in prison again. Please consider this: If we have repeat offenders (of all races) who become worse each time they are incarcerated, then what are we doing to our police officers? Are we not increasing risk for them? How much can we ask of out police officers? We should be doing all we can do to make their jobs safer.

I ask you to please investigate this injustice. I know there are cases in the Montana State Prison and I have read of cases throughout the states. One current case of denial of religious rights in Montana State Prison involves Manuel Redwoman and the Prayer Warriors.

I have never before considered what happens to prisoners my problem, but it is. It is everyone’s problem. How we treat those less fortunate is a reflection on society as a whole. With a little twist of fate or circumstances, it could be anyone of us who is in a prison cell in place of it’s current inhabitant.

To quote Jim Sollisch, a free-lance writer from Cleveland, “A democracy is judged by how it treats its lowliest and most vulnerable citizens. The founding fathers knew this. After all, they were rebelling against a flawed democracy, one that trampled on the rights of dissenters and criminals.”

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Sue Buck