Upset that Cocoran(CDC) wouldn't let me take medicine bag in to my hubby.

[tluna1051]

My Husband & I are both Native American, Navajo, from Az. He's been down going on 16 yrs, Oct.Just thought I'd post something thats been bothering me. Here it goes, I'm still upset that I was unable to take my medicine bag (taadadine'), corn pollen into my hubby my last 2 visits...I even asked them to test it & that I didnt have a problem bringing it into Calipatria State Prison. The visiting Sgt there tested it & I was allowed to bring it in. I dont understand why, its like a man bringing in a Bible into the prison grounds, just saying. Taadadine' is wat we use to pray with in the early dawn morning...praying to Diyiin Dine' (Holy People)...for strength, harmony, guidance, forgiveness & protection. This how we were taught & raised. I'm still doing my research on how to go about this....I find this very upsetting cuz this is our way of LIFE.....

.......Heavy Sigh in Arizona....

[Juni's Jeva]

Originally Posted by tluna1051

My Husband & I are both Native American, Navajo, from Az. He's been down going on 16 yrs, Oct.Just thought I'd post something thats been bothering me. Here it goes, I'm still upset that I was unable to take my medicine bag (taadadine'), corn pollen into my hubby my last 2 visits...I even asked them to test it & that I didnt have a problem bringing it into Calipatria State Prison. The visiting Sgt there tested it & I was allowed to bring it in. I dont understand why, its like a man bringing in a Bible into the prison grounds, just saying. Taadadine' is wat we use to pray with in the early dawn morning...praying to Diyiin Dine' (Holy People)...for strength, harmony, guidance, forgiveness & protection. This how we were taught & raised. I'm still doing my research on how to go about this....I find this very upsetting cuz this is our way of LIFE.....

.......Heavy Sigh in Arizona....

Lots of Luck with that, I know its a state by state choice. In NJ, we are definitely not allowed. We are grateful for what my Love is allowed to do...and have. His medicine bag, pipe...he goes weekly (usually) to ceremony.

[SGV girl]

Is this Corcoran 1 or SATF? If you cannot get it through visiting when you bring it, contact the chaplain @ the facility, or the Ombudsman and file a complaint. They are allowed religious ceremony items and this should not be an issue. Follow up! Best of luck....

[~Shadowfax~]

My husband was at CSATF at Corcoran and he was able to have his own that he wore on occasions out to visits. I know that for a time the Native Americans did not have a designated spiritual advisor, I'm wondering if that's part of he problem.

It's a constant battle and I'm sorry

[frostwoman1954]

Forgive my intrusion here plse. I think it is ignorance on the part of the state and staff. If it ain't Christian, it must be devil worshipping. Some chaplains would allow a medicine bag to come in, but not all. Hopefully, your hubby's chaplain will be understanding. You and your man remain in my thoughts.

Frost Woman

[~Shadowfax~]

I talked to my husband about this and this is how bad it is/was at CSATF when they did indeed have a Native Amercian Spiritual Advisor, they still would not allow him; the spiritual advisor! to bring in certain items that were needed for the sweats that they had. Yes they are that ignorant. I wish you the best, but it will be a battle when it comes to CSATF. From what I understand, CSATF released the spiritual advisor of his duties, basially because he wouldn't be their lackey, the chaplain more than likely is, you can try him but don't be disapointed if you're met with the same resistence.

I hate to sound like a Debbie Downer, just keeping it real as I knew it at the time, again good luck to you and hopefully some things have changed there.