BY LAURA STEVENS
The Sudbury District JailÂ?s yard is now a place for spritual healing for native inmates.
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Once used as a recreational ground for inmates, the yard is now the home of a full-sized teepee, or sweat lodge.
Ontario Lt.- Gov. James K. Bartleman was at the jail Thursdsay for the unveiling of the its new native healing program.
Vince Pawis, the correctional facilityÂ?s native liason officer, has been working for the past seven years building the jailÂ?s native program.
The program focuses on discovering and healing the root causes of their criminal behaviour.
According to Pawis, the purpose of this is to help inmates identify the roots of their personal problems and begin their healing journey. In native culture, sweat lodges are enclosed shelters where native people go to pray and chant while under intense heat, which is believed to cleanse the body, mind and spirit.
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A sweat lodge will allow native inmates to participate in healing Â?sweats.Â? |
The heat inside can approach twice the temperatures experienced in a conventional sauna.
Pawis said heÂ?s convinced the sweat lodge will be popular with many native inmates and will make a big difference in helping many of them reconnect with their native heritage and hopefully play a key role in their rehabilitation.
At the launch, a ceremonial smudge and pipe were passed around a wide circle, as prayers and drums sounded. A feast followed shortly after.
Bartleman met with four native inmatesduring his visit. He said they all welcomed the addition of the sweat lodge.
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A painting by a Northern Ontario native inmate was presented to Ontario Lt.-Gov. James K. Bartleman by Sudbury District Jail native liaison officer Vince Pawis. |
