“I've never been so free in all my life”: healing through Aboriginal ceremonies in prison

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the leisure experiences of Aboriginal women in a Canadian federal prison as they engaged in traditional ceremony. This study explores how Aboriginal women's experiences of ceremony, conceptualized as leisure, challenged the controlling environment of the prison and contributed to the release of pain and other feelings that resulted from traumatic events. The healing experiences of the Aboriginal women in this study are ultimately contrasted with the oppressive environment of the prison. The findings suggest that surveillance, discipline and punishment were replaced with a safe and secure emotional space, which provided an environment for the women to collectively reveal their vulnerabilities and begin to heal. This process of healing led to the embodiment of Sisterhood, which was portrayed through the development of mutually trusting, caring and supportive relationships.Le but de cet article est d'examiner les liens entre les femmes autochtones incarcérées dans une prison canadienne et l'engagement culturel. Les expériences des femmes autochtones dans ces cérémonies traditionnelles sont conceptualisées comme des loisirs. Ces formes de loisirs aident à contester le contrôle de la prison et contribuent aussi à la libération de douleur et une délivrance d'événements traumatiques. Ces expériences thérapeutiques sont contrastées avec l'environnement oppressant d'une prison. Les résultats suggérent que la surveillance, la discipline, et la répression de ces lieux sont remplacées par un espace sûr, qui fournit un environnement sécuritaire d'où les femmes peuvent révéler collectivement leurs vulnérabilités et initiés leurs guérisons. Ce processus de guérison a conduit à la réalisation de la sororité, qui a été dépeinte par un développement de confiance mutuelle, de bienveillance, et des relations de soutien.

Rethinking Incarcerated Women's Leisure as Subjected to Coercive and Normative Prison Missions

“…Some leisure can be understood as positive recreation (Yuen and Pedlar 2009). Indeed, Indigenous women's ceremonies in prisonthe sweat lodge, annual Pow Wow, drum songs, and conversations with Eldersare experienced as leisure in that they foster re-creation, healing, empowerment, and reparative justice (Yuen 2011;Yuen and Pedlar 2009). As for incarcerated women in general, a range of activities can be included in leisure due to their positive effects: sports tournaments, active outdoor or passive indoor recreation, card games, movies, music, reading, telephoning family, holiday activities, and writing (Davila Figueroa 2011).…”

“…Leisure functioning in educational programs is tied to readiness for returning to society, specifically through perception of freedom and motivation in leisure (Link and Williams 2017). Skills acquired through leisure and programs could affect one's criminal identity and help one adopt a more conventional lifestyle, which in turn may reduce or prevent reoffending (Esposito 2015;Fortune et al 2010;Johnson 2008;Kendall 1993;Link and Williams 2017;Meek and Lewis 2014;Ozano 2008;Pedlar, Yuen, and Fortune 2008;Pedlar, Arai, and Yuen 2007;Sempé et al 2006;Yuen 2011;Yuen and Pedlar 2009;Nugent and Loucks 2011;Johnson 2008). However, these results must be nuanced as all of these studies occurred while individuals were still incarcerated; they thus speak to anticipated rehabilitation, reintegration, or non recidivism.…”

“…Esposito 2015;Frigon 2014;Jenny and Frigon 2012;Meek and Lewis 2014;Ozano 2008;Woods, Breslin, and Hassan 2017;Auty, Cope, and Liebling 2017;Bartels, Oxman, and Hopkins 2019). Indigenous women's ceremonies have spiritual, but also physical and psychological benefits by fostering holistic healing(Yuen 2011). These practices also help resist the coercive prison setting by creating a safer space and by centering harmony and balance rather than the punitive, white, Western approach to justice(Yuen 2011;Yuen and Pedlar 2009).Group leisure with relational or post-detention benefits seems closer to normative missions.…”

“…Indigenous women's ceremonies have spiritual, but also physical and psychological benefits by fostering holistic healing(Yuen 2011). These practices also help resist the coercive prison setting by creating a safer space and by centering harmony and balance rather than the punitive, white, Western approach to justice(Yuen 2011;Yuen and Pedlar 2009).Group leisure with relational or post-detention benefits seems closer to normative missions. Indeed, citizen-detainee groups, support circles, drama therapy, and dance workshops create opportunities to connect with self and others, to develop supportive relationships with detained people and service providers, and help create relationships extending beyond incarceration (DavilaFigueroa 2011; Fortune et al 2010; Frigon 2014; Jenny and Frigon 2012; Meek and Lewis 2014; 2014;…”

Rethinking Incarcerated Women's Leisure as Subjected to Coercive and Normative Prison Missions

“…Leisure functioning in educational programs is tied to readiness for returning to society, specifically through perception of freedom and motivation in leisure (Link and Williams, 2017). Skills acquired through leisure and programs could affect one's criminal identity and help one adopt a more conventional lifestyle, which in turn may reduce or prevent reoffending (Kendall, 1993;Sempé et al, 2006;Pedlar et al, 2007Pedlar et al, , 2008Johnson, 2008;Ozano, 2008;Yuen and Pedlar, 2009;Fortune et al, 2010;Nugent and Loucks, 2011;Yuen, 2011;Meek and Lewis, 2014;Esposito, 2015;Link and Williams, 2017). However, these results must be nuanced as all of these studies occurred while individuals were still incarcerated; they thus speak to anticipated rehabilitation, reintegration, or non-recidivism.…”