Huy Honored by DOC for 12 Years of Support
On October 3, Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Cheryl Strange honored Huy for our “generous 12 years supporting incarcerated Native American/Alaska Natives.”
Secretary Strange presented Huy leaders Gabe Galanda, Minty LongEarth, and Eldon Vail with an etched crystal trophy and print from the Washington State Penitentiary’s Victor Unit’s pow wow in 2022.
Since 2012, Huy has stood watch over and partnered with the DOC in protection of incarcerated Indigenous peoples’ religious freedoms and spiritual practices.
Faced with the reality that 45.3% of the Indigenous people incarcerated in the DOC return to prison within 36 months of their release, opportunities for them to engage in traditional Indigenous religious and spiritual practices while in DOC custody are desperately needed. Huy advocates to protect and enhance those opportunities throughout the DOC.
