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Show Brotherhood of American Indians Seek Understanding, Not Pity A Message Never has there been articles as these featured in the Ute Bulletin nor pictures of offenders. Articles and pictures by Indian offenders are at time printed in prominent Indian papers circulated throughout reservations and cities or wherever Indian people can read and perhaps understand the meaning of the writers. These papers feature beautiful poetries, short stories on Indian history. and of personal experiences that brought them to prison and of the present situation while in prison. Perhaps people wonder why these offenders can think of ever submitting articles more so pictures to papers. Indian offenders are people; people in their own way and want to share their feelings. In prison the Indians become possessed with strongly committed inner thoughts. Thinking becomes their sole nourisher for survival Their wits become sharp and awareness is keen. They seem to project their thoughts to be more objective and creative. Time can be expanded carelessly or time can improve. Here at McNeil Island, Washington many of the Indians come from reservations and others elsewhere but all come here to serve time. They have departed from homelands onto an isolated island. As they look bade across the bay toward the free world their feelings become hopeless, sad, and frustrated. But after a period of time these problems of frustration strengthens their will to survive. These Indians behind prison walls are now piecing together a shattered life, sorting out the doubts whether their release will ever come or not, developing their thoughts and ideas surrounding their Indian culture and tradition. It is through these experiences the Indian offenders write. They do not ssk for forgiveness nor to be felt sorry for, but they do seek understanding. It is my wish that these articles be accepted in the fashion of understanding the problems on the reservation. Many of the Indians never thought of going to prison but it had happened. Articles by these people can be useful and meaningful Here are some articles as fine examples written by members of the prison group called the Brotherhood of American Indians. Darrell L.Shavanaux Ute As I Remember It Not too long ago I was sitting on a hospital bed, it had become my habit to look out the window and see my brothers heading for the weight lifting platform. The sun now even with the upholstery shop's roof, its rays of warmth fast, disappearing. I could not help but remem ter another time, another place. It was winter day long ago. It was very cold outside as a blizzard had just passed. The barren fields now covered with the new fallen snow now drifting against the fence ywH across the deserted highway. I sit alone looking out the bus window. differ Though that day and now (today) as day and night, my profound thoughts in solitary awareness in both times came Sitting alone that as a need e landscape day watching the would find if I wondered I by whizzing vast city. any Indians when reaching that All through the sleepless night until the second following day with $11.50 in my bus the pulled into hand dress pants I cabbie", yelled trying to Chicago. Hey I asked bravado. false of show hide my out?" Indians all the do hang Where I that cab I in the hoped sitting existence face a to lonely have not would of not finding any Indians. After driving over the same streets and around the same city blocks I arrived at my destination with only $2.00. Like the fresh rains of Spring that followed that year prosperity also arrived with safe security within the Indian the passing of the ventured I more and more away years from the community, until well as I was community. But with saying sitting on the hospital bed looking out the window and wishing that I could be out there with my brothers, and they with a kindred soul patiently listening to my never ending problems and I sharing theirs and of their victories. When our brothers care for our welfare it matters not whether it rains or snows; I see a warm smile, I hear a kind word. This all could have been said so much by others but I know that you will understand what I feel Bernard DeCorah Winnebago Brotherhood Many of us see and hear the word Brotherhood but how many of us understand the true meaning? Brothers it has many, many ways of expressing itself. A lot of us belong to group and thats just it; we only belong to the group. To me Brotherhood Means: 1. Giving something and expecting' nothing in return. 2. Sharing with others what ideas or suggestions one might have to overcome such hardships one might have. 3. Not to criticize. If one is doing good do not put him down. Be proud of him. He is your brother. Do not discourage him, encourage him. We all need encouragement myself do not discourage easily. I keep on pushing until I reach that certain goal. I am sure that if we put our minds to do or accomplish something, we can do so. Nathan R. Seaman By working as one and excereising our n abilities we can and will this group the Brotherhood of American Indians second to none. A group that our outside Indian sponsors will be proud to God-give- be associated with. Our outside sponsors have given slot of their free time in order to help us get where we are today. Are we going to' let them down? Whether you know it or not, we are making progress. We are moving in the right direction, and the cats list that has motivated this group has been our Indian sponsors. Without their help and support, we would not be the fine group that we are. This is one fight that we cannot afford to lose. The administration is well aware of what we are trying to accomplish. And your committee asks your support in our endeavors. Based on those resolutions that they now have in their possession a new course may be charted that will accomplish the goals of restoring the Indian offender to society in a useful and not embittered state of mind. I have nothing but praise for our outride sponsors and I know I can speak for the group as a whole. I will do everything I possibly can for this and I will stick to my bow and arrow if and when the buffalo chips start to fly. I know that the administration is taking a good, long hard look at our group of Indians and the progress that we are making. Your committee sincerely asks your help in this great stride that will enable us to accomplish our goals. I Shoshone-Bannoe- k Face It When the format was laid down for this group it was meant for perfection. But there is still one giant obstacle that we need to overcome in. order to utilize our full potential Some of our goals were achieved others will take a little longer But in order to succeed and for us to realize our goals, we need that missing ingredient which is so pertinent to our organization of this kind. As a matter of fact without it this group isnt worth a tinker's tinker, whatever that is. We need this missing ingredient in order to survive. If you dont know what it is by now, you are missing the whole point More than one group has bitten the dust because of this missing link. Do you know what it is? The name of game is UNITY. You know the whole dam bunch of us must work together for a common cause for this group is going to be only as good as we want it to be. Not just, one or two guys pulling the load, but each and everyone of us has to get involved. By working together we can and will make progress. We must get down our ideas, screen them and judge them to determine their practicalities and values. ATTENDING THE BROTHERHOOD ROW WOW-- At McNefl peual butkutioa ia Washington, were Ute tribal members left to right Dels Shevananx, Chios Wisriup, and Darrel Shavaaaux. The pew wew was one of the activities planned by the group rendering of Native Aamricaas from different tribes and states. ng. snow-whit- . Mutt Calf Looking Blackfoet Members of the Brotherhood of Ameriean Indians attend a law class at McNeil Island, Wash. |
