Military officials taking sacred tobacco from Native American soldiers
The Ho Chunk Nation says a sacred plant is being wrongly confiscated from its members serving in the military.
For many Native Americans, ceremonial tobacco is for prayer, meditation, and in the case of soldiers – protection. Conroy Greendeer Sr. says deployed Ho Chunk soldiers take tobacco with them, but often commanding officers take it away. He says that’s what happened to his son in Afghanistan.
“They took it away from him, and made him, spill it on the ground,” Greendeer says. “He was dismayed by that.”
Ho Chunk leaders say non-Indians often mistake ceremonial tobacco for marijuana. Robert Mann, the tribe’s veteran service officer, says the Ho Chunk plans to work with the National Congress of American Indians to get legislation introduced through the House of Representatives, that would better enforce the American Indian Religious Freedom Act for native soldiers’ well-being.
“When we put this tobacco on the ground, we’re praying,” explains Mann. “We’re asking the Creator for his guidance, should we have to face an enemy, that we could become victorious.
“You could be very lonely and very frightened too, if you have to face an enemy, and this gives you that strength to do your duty,” he says.
Conroy Greendeer hopes that more officers learn the value of sacred tobacco, and allow more soldiers to use it. He says the tradition goes back generations, and recalls how his father did ceremonies during World War II.
“Tobacco was used back then,” says Greendeeer. “And it was for protection, not only for himself, but as he went and prayed and poured the tobacco, he also protected those people that also served with him.”
A public affairs officer with the U.S. Army wouldn’t comment specifically on ceremonial tobacco, but said he’s not surprised that officers might seize something they mistook for an illegal substance.