Court Orders Prisons To Recognize Native American Shamanism

In Iron Thunderhorse v. Pierce, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 58842 (ED TX, July 30, 2008), an inmate in a Texas correctional institution argued that the Native American religious program in Texas prisons gives preferential treatment to Christian-oriented Native American religions and disfavors traditionalist Native American shamans. The court agreed, ordering that "Native American shamanism" be recognized as a valid faith with a separate faith code. It also ordered that Iron Thunderhorse be allowed a reasonable number of holy days and traditional foods for feast days, and that if he is released from administrative segregation he be allowed access to pipe ceremonies and a medicine bundle, including musical instruments like a clay flute and small drum. The court however rejected plaintiff's claims that relating to the prison's dress and grooming codes and restrictions on him while in administrative segregation.