Acceptance given to inmates at the remand centre

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Behind the formidable walls of the Edmonton Remand Centre on 97th St., a healing circle for the inmates imprisoned there is being led by Christine Daniels. Daniels has come full circle to the place where she started her work within the corrections system.

Daniels began working in the 1970s as a Native liaison in the remand for the Native Counselling Services of Alberta, but left to work in the federal corrections system shortly after.

"I was driving down 97th St. one day and I looked up at the remand centre and I thought to myself, 'I'm finished there,'" said Daniels of the job she left behind.

Ironically, it was shortly after that day she got a call to come back to the remand in the capacity of Elder for the inmates.

"I guess Indians never retire," she joked.

Her life has often been reported to be a career dedicated to helping Aboriginal people help themselves. After spending nearly 10 years in British Columbia, Daniels moved back to Edmonton 18 months ago to retire.

Daniels spends three days a week at the remand centre. Her work includes the healing circles and one-on-one counselling. Sometimes she acts on behalf of inmates to gain approval from remand centre administration for the use sacred traditional items, she said.

"I've learned how to deal with difficult situations. I've learned tolerance and I believe in humanity," she said about the often grim situations that most Aboriginal people face when in jail.

"I used to get angry at first, but I know jail is there because people break the law," she said.

Daniels believes most of the problems for the people she works with stem from drug and alcohol abuses. Breaking old habits and patterns requires discipline, she said. But Daniels doesn't want to condemn anyone because there is always hope, she said.

"If you look at yourself, you can put good things in yourself instead of poison," said Daniels.

She believes she has been successful if even one person experiences some growth within themselves, she said. Everyone has good intentions to better their lives, but once they get out of jail, many go back into what brought them to jail, said Daniels.

Part of her work as an Elder at the remand centre is to provide links with other helping agencies in the city for the inmates. The opportunity to get help is there, she said.

She suggested that some Aboriginal people may not be aware of what is available for them. While others have become institutionalized because, in prison, there is a steady routine they don't have in their life on the outside, explained Daniels.

Still, after a quarter-of-a-century of working in corrections and in drug and alcohol counselling, her work with people is still very rewarding because of the relationships that are formed, she said.

"There is a need there, at the remand centre, to teach the ways of our people that were here long before the white man," said Daniels. Sharing her knowledge of Native spirituality may help those who have become confused about it, she said.

If they have not had an Elder to learn from, Daniels offers her teachings for others to use as a guide.

The healing circle allows people to say what is on their minds, in confidence. "It makes you feel better," she said.

Daniels would like to see more programs at the remand, but people are not there for a long time. Her presence at the remand is the most that can be provided to the inmates who want it.

"I'm never really scared. They always show a lot of respect for me," said Daniels of her work with people that others may not feel comfortable with.

"Sometimes I tell people I still do time because I've worked in jail for so long," Daniels joked.

The Elder, who did not disclose her age, said her birthday is celebrated on two days, (her mother celebrated her birth on June 21, but her birth certificate states the 22nd). She said as long as she feels capable she will continue her work at the remand centre.

Daniels is also getting involved again with teaching traditional dancing to cildren and youth at Sacred Heart Church, another full circle for her in her work.