Oregon prison powwow brings Native families together for annual gathering
The annual event gives incarcerated Native people a chance to practice culture and reconnect with loved ones
The annual Many Nations Powwow at the Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem brought together incarcerated Native people, their families and honored guests for a day of cultural celebration, according to Underscore Native News. The event, organized by the prison's Many Nations Culture Club, featured Grand Entry, drumming, dancing, storytelling and a shared meal while allowing participants to practice Native traditions with visitors.
Several incarcerated participants said the powwow provides an opportunity to reconnect with their culture and families, according to the Underscore Native News reporting. Nestor Diaz-Miller, who is of Cow Creek Band of Umpqua heritage, was quoted as saying that participating in the prison's sweat lodge and drum "literally saved my life." Law professor Aliza Kaplan of Lewis & Clark Law School, a returning guest, said the gathering helps participants explore their identities and build community, according to Underscore Native News.
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