I was wondering if anyone knows how or if the relegious/cultural needs of Natives Americans that are of Canadian/Mexican/South American ancestry are met. I know that prisons want 'proof' of Native blood which I heard is a problem for Mexicans for instance. They aren't recognized as being NA. And that the needs of the cultures are vastly different from US tribes. as in what kinds of items are needed for a ceremony, types of ceremonies. How do US Native Americans accept them? Just curious, it's something I don't hear about too often.

Blueviolet

Blueviolet, I do not know for sure how Northern Natives see Southern ones, though my husband is S. American Native.
I have learned tribal people can be real diversified in how they see things. I am a mixed blood N.A. and people would treat me badly at times but I just ignore them .T hey have no more love for our culture and people than I do. My choice to be Native is stronger than their hatred. My husband knew a lot of Natives where he used to be in jail near Yakima, Wa.
He prayed for them a lot because Natives and Hispanics often are mistreated in prison, maybe some whites too, it is just a twisted system if you ask me! I know in the prisons where the Natives have a Sacred circle there are a few non-Native members. It might be more of having the same beliefs than the same color of skin. The ways the Southern natives worship is similar but because they are not registered as tribal
I think they could only hope to be accepted by a group that is already in existence or to seek God in their own way which is what my husband does at present, although he is a Native advocate and loves the people too. I have a post calling for prayer for S. American Natives who are being imprisoned or anialated by the governments in S. America, they have no civil or human rights. A lot of them were here illegally, so they await deportation and noone really sees their spiritual needs or cares very much as it is today, unfortunately.
Sometimes I think, my God, if we were in their shoes, wouldn't we want someone to care at least a little. I would think a Sacred circle could be stared, though without proof of bloodline, sweats and such might be out of the question.
thak you and God Bless,Eagle's Dove Cher/Catawba/Eng

Hi Blue,
I'm not sure if you mean by the institution or by other Indian brothers inside...it is beyond difficult to be recognized by the institution if you don't have a number, but my husband's circle has been really kind about letting Indigenous from all walks enter their grounds.
Wendy

I know that most indigenous peoples from mexico are not considered indigenous at all by the federal or state government and therefore are not given the rights of indigenous peoples. Right now, in many countries "south of the boarder" there is a major political war going on. Until recently, our ceremonies, language and danza were illegal to practice. So, our people had to keep things underground. Now that we are emerging, we are getting more recognition in the community. However, such recognition from the community doesn't transfer to the government. They still don't "see" us as indigenous. So, our people won't get the rights to practice their ceremonies in prision since they aren't "documented" by the federal government. As I understand it, its even a battle for North Natives to get those rights. But even less for us. We are even suffering from critisism from our own people, even those that consider themselves indigenous! Because their is great confusion as to the ways of our people. Like I said many things are now emerging from underground. There are also the political aspects that we are facing in regards to the relationship to the church and government. Many indigenous peoples are struggling to reclaim their own spirituality instead of embracing the church and are more political.

As far as how we are treated by our northern brothers and sisters, I have seen that it varies. For the most part, I feel completely accepted as an indigenous women. We even have been invited to dance ceremonies at powwows and other nothern indigenous events. We respect our northern relatives' protocol and traditions. But I have ran into very few that rely on blood quantum and federal documentation. Which I feel is sad, because if you think about it--who has full documentation? The ones that the government says can have documentation--with no respect to lineage or tribe really. And as far as the blood quantum is concerned, it was designed to "breed" out the indigenous heritage. You can never get more "indian" in blood quantum, only more white.

Speaking of which, its also sad--but most of my people are called Hispanic or Latino. But we are not from Spain or Latin America. We are indigenous. Spanish speaking indigneous are no different from English speaking indigenous. Just because we speak English doesn't make us English. Just FYI. Even my drivers licence says white when I distinctly put Mexican Indigenous. There is no other classification. Sad..

Originally posted by Preciousrain
Speaking of which, its also sad--but most of my people are called Hispanic or Latino. But we are not from Spain or Latin America. We are indigenous. Spanish speaking indigneous are no different from English speaking indigenous. Just because we speak English doesn't make us English. Just FYI. Even my drivers licence says white when I distinctly put Mexican Indigenous. There is no other classification. Sad..

I totally agree with you on that one. It boggles me when someone calls a Mexican person "Spanish", when that person had no european blood and isn't from Spain. And for those of us who have mixed blood, some of us would rather acknowledge our Native blood and not get stuck with some label a white person gave us. I think that Hispanic as an ethnicity is confusing at best. Why do people with brown skin and black hair get called "white" on thie birth certificates? And why does Spanish ancestry get special recognition, but not any other European? Ever notice on a lot of forms that ask about race they might have a box to check next to "white of hispanic origin" or "black of hispanic origin", but nothing that acknowledges indigenous ancestry? Very seldom do forms ever say "Mexican" or Chicana/o. I usually cross out "hispanic" and replace it with "Chicana". I am not a Spaniard dammit! Check out http://www.mexica-movement.org/

Blueviolet

Also try

www.mexika.org
http://www.geocities.com/mexicauprising/index.html

As always there is a lot of difference on this issue, usually depending on one's overall political understanding. A few years ago at the prison my husband was in they tried asking the Mexican/South American natives for papers. The inmate native council would not allow it. It turned into a huge political issue, but finally (incredibly) the prison backed off leaving all the brothers free to go to the sweat lodge regardless of so-called nationality. It was a very interesting time, though, and I would say that the north american natives were completely supportive of any brothers who were interested in their native culture.

In Arizona, some of my pals tell me it's more about what native gang afiliation you choose. You can be mixed race and still go to the sweatlodge if I am not mistaken. I am sure it is different on different yards. Some of the guys who are in the gangs have little native heritage according to my pals and they resent it and it causes a lot of problems. I know my Lakota pals would probably have a difficult time woshipping with different rituals but they could surprise me if it was done respectfully.

Here in Texas my son is who Southern american indian and mexican had no problem practincing his faith and who he is and walks with pride! We have no problems here that I know of!

The bottom line is that religious freedom is a choice EVERYONE has...even in prison...if you are white green black red brown or yelow with purple polka dots, you can (in theory) choose the religion you want to practice. This is a constant battle in the gulag system here in the good ol USA. and YOU CAN fight and win...unfortunately it takes a few things not all of us have...money for one, and time, it wouldnt be a full time job, it's a 24/7 job, even after you won. But keep at it, dont ever give up...write your letters, bring attention to the problem where ever you can...just the fact that there are some prisons that allow it, shows someone won somewhere.

My son Brent was the 12th person to start the circle at the Neal Unit in Amirillo,Tx. Although he's no longer there he still practises's his faith and walks the red road and smokes. He said they don't have the sweat lodge where he's at but is able to join in with his brothers with the religion and that is what is important to him.