Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Akwesasne Justice Department and Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre work to bring Sweat Lodge to Aboriginal Inmates

On January 13, 2010, Mr. John Maracle, the Native Inmate Liaison Officer, conducted the first Sweat Lodge ceremony in a secure area within the grounds of the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre.

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne administers a program for aboriginal inmates at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC). The Detention Centre houses approximately thirty aboriginal inmates, both male and female. Some inmates are from Territories of Akwesasne, Kahnawake and Tyendinaga. The purpose of the program is to fund a Native Inmate Liaison Officer (NILO) at the Ottawa facility. The NILO is John Maracle.

The NILO program offers aboriginal counseling, services and smudging ceremony to aboriginal inmates three days a week. The program assists inmates who may seek treatment with outside service providers. As well, limited follow-up services are also done when necessary.

Joyce King, Director of the Akwesasne Justice Department and Rena Smoke, Community Justice Program Manager, attended the opening ceremony with heads of the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre. Vince Kicknosway, an Ojibwe elder from the Ottawa Indian Friendship Centre, began with smudging people who were in attendance. Joyce King recited the Ohenton Kariwatehkwen in Mohawk, and expressed greetings to the attendees. She also presented Mr. Maracle with a small tobacco pipe for use in the Sweat Lodge on behalf of the Akwesasne Justice Department.

Representatives from OCDC included: Ms. A. Sultan, Superintendent; Maureen Richardson, Deputy Superintendent, Programs; Linda Doucet, Deputy Superintendent Services; Steve Ormsby, Deputy Superintendent, Administration; Glenda Paull, Institutional Training Manager; Catherine Grant, Psychometrist; Carl Wake, Chaplain.

Ms. Richardson was pleased with the Sweat Lodge program. Ms. Richardson commented that the Sweat Lodge program is a historical first at OCDC.

The Sweat Lodge program is a venue for Aboriginal Inmates to participate in spiritual beliefs that are part of Aboriginal culture. As well, it is also an avenue to heal some of the grieving aboriginals face when the loss of family and lifestyle are damaged by their chosen lifestyle.

Mr. Maracle, has been working on securing an area for the Sweat Lodge for over a year. John envisioned a Sweat Lodge program as a spiritual and healing centre for the incarcerated First Nations people at OCDC. John will be offering this Sweat Lodge program to aboriginal inmates once a month at the facility. Mr. Maracle has gone out of his way to collect the appropriate wood for the fire and the grandfathers for the sweat. Although John has conducted Sweat Lodge ceremonies outside the facility, this historical moment was the first “Sweat” within the confined space of OCDC. On Wednesday, January 13, 2010, John’s tireless efforts came to fruition and it could only happen with the cooperation of the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre personnel.

Congratulations John Maracle and OCDC.