Natives performing on tribal drums in the SQ visiting room
Lee Polanco was a correctional officer in San Quentin from the late 1980s to the 2000s. He still has family working within the prison.
“I worked Death Row, the housing blocks and the gun tower,” Polanco said. “But being a C/O wasn’t my calling. The Creator had bigger plans for me.”
Now 81, Polanco returned to San Quentin Sept. 7 to bestow the ceremonial blessing to open the Native American Religious Group annual Fall Pow Wow.
Tribal drums and coordinated dances echoed in San Quentin’s visiting room, as Polanco, draped in a blue and red shawl, danced with an eagle feather fan in his left hand and a gourd rattler in his right. As a gourd dancer, Polanco is the one who blesses the ground before a Pow Wow takes place. He is also a Sun dancer and keeper of the fire for the National Native American Church sweat lodge.
After leaving the duties of a correctional officer, Polanco became an advocate for Native Americans behind prisons walls. He was successful in bringing sweat lodges and native religious services to numerous California and Nevada institutions.
“It’s not who you know or what you’re doing but what you leave behind, and that’s the next generation,” Polanco said. “You are your identity. At first, I couldn’t even pray in my language. Now I wake up every morning and pray in my language.
“If you don’t know the language of your songs—dig them out and learn them,” he added.
The Fall Pow Wow is grounded in the revered tradition of sharing a meal as a community to help everyone get through the winter months.
But celebration of Native American customs in prison has encountered resistance in many prisons through out the country.
“It’s not who you know or what you’re doing but what you leave behind, and that’s the next generation,” Polanco said. “You are your identity. At first, I couldn’t even pray in my language. Now I wake up every morning and pray in my language.
“If you don’t know the language of your songs—dig them out and learn them,” he added.
The Fall Pow Wow is grounded in the revered tradition of sharing a meal as a community to help everyone get through the winter months.
But celebration of Native American customs in prison has encountered resistance in many prisons through out the country.
“We are a sacred people. We pray for everything,” said Hector Heredia, Native/Indian chaplain. “We have been doing these things for thousands of years, and we are a generation that needs to still identify our culture.
“We don’t sing our songs for entertainment –our songs are spiritual.” Polanco added, “We bless our food, and we wipe down our people with sage (for purification).”
At the ceremony, much of the sacred rituals had to be done symbolically due to the prohibition against smoke or fire within the visiting room. A circle was formed with the small diverse group of family, friends and guests, as Polanco unwrapped the “Canupa” (Cha-nu-pa) sacred ceremonial pipe and passed it around.
The strains of Polanco’s native song rose and fell as people passed the Canupa around and made silent prayers. The circle, or hoop, represents infinity and the man and woman coming together.
“Lee (Polanco) does stay on top of things going on in San Quentin. He does pray for the people all the time,” said Joyce Polanco, Lee’s girlfriend.
Before the blessed meal was served including the traditional fried bread, the ritual Grand Opening Dance was done. The small crowd left the visiting room and danced their way back in. Everyone was in lock-step with each other as they danced into another circle.
“We don’t sing our songs for entertainment –our songs are spiritual.” Polanco added, “We bless our food, and we wipe down our people with sage (for purification).”
At the ceremony, much of the sacred rituals had to be done symbolically due to the prohibition against smoke or fire within the visiting room. A circle was formed with the small diverse group of family, friends and guests, as Polanco unwrapped the “Canupa” (Cha-nu-pa) sacred ceremonial pipe and passed it around.
The strains of Polanco’s native song rose and fell as people passed the Canupa around and made silent prayers. The circle, or hoop, represents infinity and the man and woman coming together.
“Lee (Polanco) does stay on top of things going on in San Quentin. He does pray for the people all the time,” said Joyce Polanco, Lee’s girlfriend.
Greg “White Eagle” Coates serving up a meal
Before the blessed meal was served including the traditional fried bread, the ritual Grand Opening Dance was done. The small crowd left the visiting room and danced their way back in. Everyone was in lock-step with each other as they danced into another circle.
Chaplain Heredia then prsented Polanco with a spear- headed wooden plate from the Native American prisoners. In true tribal tradition of gift giving, Polanco gave Heredia the gourd rattler.
“Plant some seeds and make more rattler out of them,” he told Heredia, urging him to carry on the tradition. Then Polanco turned to the audience.
“Plant some seeds and make more rattler out of them,” he told Heredia, urging him to carry on the tradition. Then Polanco turned to the audience.
“If you give somebody something ― give them something good,” Polanco said. “Also show respect and appreciation when someone helps you.
“All you brothers are special because you come from a woman,” Polanco added. “I have learned from you all.”
https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/native-americans-struggle/
https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/native-american-girls-are-at-higher-risk-for-imprisonment/
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https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/san-quentin-news-merchandise/
“All you brothers are special because you come from a woman,” Polanco added. “I have learned from you all.”
https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/native-americans-struggle/
https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/native-american-girls-are-at-higher-risk-for-imprisonment/
https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/rising-operatic-star-mesmerizes-sq/
https://sanquentinnew.wpengine.com/san-quentin-news-merchandise/
