Letter to the Editor

Shekon Indian Time,

Our Native American program here at Cayuga Correctional Facility is presently requesting your utmost understanding and assistance, to kindly print the following article in your Native newspaper. We would sincerely appreciate it very much, as the two women we speak of in the article are from the Akwesasne territory

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For many years, these two woman deserve a special “Niawen:kowa.”

Rosemary Marmon & Sarah Hassenplug

From inside the walls of many prisons within New York State, for the past fifteen years, two Mohawk women (sisters) from the territory of Akwesasne, but who live in Syracuse, New York came to share their time and support as often as possible. Today as we looking back on those fifteen years, we realize that throughout all the time spent with inmates, their devotion was truly overwhelming. They were truly dedicated to helping incarerated Native American Indian men by stressing the importance of education, traditional sharing and teaching the Mohawk language, which has been the foundation of their own faith. Their words of encouragement have become the icon of what it means to volunteer endless time, in the hopes their oral teachings shared, will have an impact on changing the behavior that brought these men to prison. Both Mrs. Marmon and Mrs. Hassenplug have shown unconditional support, coupled with their willingness to spend time with these men, and be there whenever a religious ceremony came up. They have played an important part of the self-realization by many of men whose hearts & minds they have touched, showing that they care despite all the obstacles, ‘believing that people can change’” has been their essence of faith. It has helped these men to rehabilitate themselves. These proud Mohawk women taught inmates that “they should believe in themselves and that alcohol & drugs have been the most destructive forces of all Native people.” They taught inmates that their experiences can teach so many of our Native youth a different way of life.’’ But first, “they must forgive themselves, accept the hurt they have caused and learn to make amends.” Most significantly, they must commit themselves to inner change, growth and with it, comes maturity. The success of these two women has been extraordinary.

Most recently, we learned that Mrs. Mormon suffered a stroke and yet another one, and is ill. If there is one thing that we want her to know, “every time we pray, she will be forever included in our prayers, and that our hearts will never forget the beautiful things she and her sister has shared with us over the years.

In our heart, there can be no words to truly express the utmost gratitude that these women have done for Native programming and inmates. The beauty, the passion and the commitment of many years have all been a treasure of learning. These two wonderful and beautiful women, “have our deepest appreciation, our deepest Niawen kowa, and our deepest love that goes from here to the Creator’s land.”

In our prayers, now & tomorrow!

Clint Shenandoah, Spiritual Advisor

Haudenosaunee Community

Cayuga Correctional Facility