My first encounter with Lydia Hale the Native American spiritual advisor here at SCI-FOREST, was a big eye opener. This woman is used to wielding the power. She carries a huge stick with the Department of Corrections. But I had known about Mrs. Hale for a couple of years, before coming here. Mrs. Hale is well known throughout the Pennsylvania prison system. Inmates who have delt with her through the Native American services, call her SISTER THREE HATS and there is good reason for it. When dealing with Lydia Hale, you don't know which of the Three Hats you'll be facing. The first hat is as a Department of Corrections V.I.P. This means that when issues come up between the DOC and what the Native American services should be getting, she will always side first with the prison administration. Her second hat is her true religion which is Christianity, first and foremost. This is her personal belief foundation. Lydia has a major habit of preaching Christianity within the Native American Circle. I find the teaching of Christianity very offensive. Chirstianity is not the true Native American way. Christianity is the White-man's religion and not apart of the native people's Red Road. The Native American Circle and culture class is for Native American teachings, traditions, ceremonies and history. Christianity has no place there. It is the White-man's way, not the true Native people's life-ways. The Christian Church constantly tried to whitemanize the Indians. If someone wishes to be a Christian or learn the Christian teachings, the prison offers a ton of Christian programs. Mrs. Hale should not be allowed to preach Christianity within the sacred Native American Circle. There are many Native Americans who allowed themselves to be converted over to the white-man's religion. If that brings them happiness, I only wish them the best. But for me, there is no place for Christianity teachings within a prison Native American circle or culture class. The Circle is our time to pray to our creator, dance, beat the sacred drum and sing true Native songs to the Great Mystery, Mother Earth, the four directions and our relations in the spirit world. Mrs. Hale's third hat is of the Native American Red Road. To be fair, she does have well founded knowledge of Native American life-ways. I was told that Lydia is of the Lakota Sioux lineage. If so, she should know better than to use the Sacred Native Circle to convert inmates to her Christianity. Lydia Hale has built a large Native American book and tape collection for the Native services but you must first be a part of her "Select Hoop Members" at SCI-FOREST state prison to read them. Mrs. Hale has brought real eagle feathers here for the Native American circle which are very sacred to all Native peoples. The circle has a very large and nice sacred drum, which I'm sure is due to Lydia. I attended my first culture class here on March 30th 2009. I have to say at the least, I was extremely disappointed. I have never seen a culture class for a Native American circle run in such a manner, nor have I ever read anywhere, in any book or studies concerning Native American Hoops, where they make people sit outside the circle until a "Findian" deems them worthy to be apart of their prison clique within the Native American circle. At first I was told that I may check out the Native American books when I attended the culture class on Mondays. When I asked to check out a couple of these books, I was told I must now wait three weeks until I was deemed worthy of joining the circle. The books are for Select Members Only. I have Native American blood on both sides of my family. I was a member of the Native American circle at SCI-MAHANOY for over a year. I hold a Native American hair exemption. I was gifted a sacred headband and a prayer feather, as is a Native American tradition. I also take correspondence courses through The Good Medicine Society, Chyenne Morning Star who is of Native lineage, is my teacher. I was granted special permission from Grandmother Alloday Gatoa of the Good Medicine Society to learn how to teach their methods of teaching the Philosophy Of Good Medicine. Yet I'm being told I must prospect as if I was trying to become a member of a biker club or street gang to be a member of the Native American Circle and Culture classes here. I could be wrong, but this does not seem Native American to me. This I believe is due to Sister Three Hats -Lydia Hale's own Christianity belief system and her status within the DOC. I was told that Mrs. Hale is also teaching a Buddhist class at another prison in the Pennsylvania system. No wonder she holds such power within the Department Of Corrections. She's their religious problem Cure-All. As long as I'm here, I will never accept the preaching of Christian beliefs within the sacred Native American Circle or even the practice of inmates having to "prospect" to become a worthY member of the Native American services. In my heart these practices are unjust and wrong. As always I voice my opinions. I don't back down nor no I fall to any type of intimidation by DOC staff or inmate "Findians" (fake ass Indians) within any prison where I have done time. The truth is the truth no matter how you slice it. |
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"It's easy, terribly easy, to shake
a man's faith in himself"
GB Shaw, 1903
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