[IPSM] Shackling of Youth in the Sacred Sweat Lodge

[dustin johnson]

>> ____________
>>
>> Justice for Girls
>>
>> Ph  604 689 7887
>>
>> Fax 604 689 7887
>>
>> www.justiceforgirls.org
>>
>> From: Justice For Girls [mailto:justiceforgirls at justiceforgirls.org]
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 2:24 PM
>> To: 'Justice For Girls'
>> Subject: FW: Shackling of Youth in the Sacred Sweat Lodge
>>

>>
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>> February 14th, 2006
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>> Dear Community Members:
>>
>>
>>
>> Re: Stop the racist policy and practice of shackling of youth  
>> prisoners during
>>
>> Sacred Sweat Lodge Ceremony
>>
>>
>>
>> We are writing to inform you that the Ministry of Children and  
>> Family Development, which is responsible for youth prisons in BC,  
>> orders all youth to be put in ankle restraints during the Sacred  
>> Sweat Lodge Ceremony at the Burnaby Youth Secure/Open Custody  
>> Center – the youth prison.  Section H 13.03(1) of the BYSCC  
>> Operations Manual requires that prison staff apply one set of leg  
>> restraints to each prisoner participating in the Sweat Lodge  
>> Ceremony (see attached).  This policy was amended within the last  
>> 4 years to make it more specific to every youth who enters the  
>> Sweat Lodge.
>>
>>
>>
>> Urban Native Youth Association, Justice for Girls, United Native  
>> Nations and the Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association (KAYA)  
>> have collectively sent a letter to Stan Hagen, the Minister of  
>> Child & Family Development, demanding an immediate stop to  
>> shackling of youth and any use of force during the Sacred Sweat  
>> Lodge Ceremony.
>>
>>
>>
>> The use of mechanical restraints during the Sweat Lodge Ceremony  
>> is an assault upon the bodies, dignity, spirit, and culture of  
>> Indigenous youth.  The Sacred Sweat Lodge is an important Ceremony  
>> that is not only a right under Section 70 of the Child Family and  
>> Community Services Act but, more importantly, an attempt to remedy  
>> some of the effects of colonization including cultural genocide.
>>
>>
>>
>> It is imperative that this policy be changed immediately. We  
>> encourage you to read the attached policy and take action by  
>> emailing, calling or writing the Minister of Children and Family  
>> Development to demand policy change and an immediate stop to the  
>> shackling of youth during the Sweat Lodge Ceremony at Burnaby  
>> Youth Secure Custody Center.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please contact Justice for Girls at (604) 689 7887 or  
>> justiceforgirls at justiceforgirls.org if you would like further  
>> information.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>>
>>
>> Ange Sterritt & Annabel Webb
>>
>> Advocates, Justice for Girls
>>
>>
>>

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