WALLA WALLA, Wash. (AP) — Children are now permitted at powwows held in Washington state prisons to participate in the religious ceremonies for Indian inmates.
A powwow last week at the Washington state Penitentiary at Walla Walla was the first time in years that children were in attendance — dancing to drum beats behind bars.
The Seattle Times reports (http://is.gd/ZS4NZJ ) the security details were recently negotiated with the Department of Corrections by Seattle lawyer Gabe Galanda, working on behalf of prisoners.
Inmates told the Times it’s important to have children dancing at the powwows because that represents the transmission of culture through generations.
