Recognition

---

It is a section to recognize those who I feel have not been given credit. This time it is two because their actions was very instrumental in the creation of this organization and the recognized practice of Wiica in California Department of Corrections. I speak of Rev. Patrick McCollum and Barbara A. Mcgraw. For I have no doubt without there help there would not have been an established Wiican Religious Program in the CDC. For here we are still fighting for the things essential to our practice though it has been established by Preliminary injunction by the late honorable judge Lawrence k. Karlton. i had been blessed that at that time when I let the Pagan Community know what I was being faced with many of what I consider to be Stalwarts of the advancement and protectors of the faith. Star white (Lifeways Church of all worlds) Ann for freedom, Z, Budapest, Starhawk, Otto G'Zell and Morning Glory, Raymond Buckland, Paul Beyerl and there were many others. Yet at a very crucial moment while i was in Pelican Bay Shu and we were in summary judgement the courts decided that RFRA did not have the protection or rights of incarcerated individuals under its umbrella, Judge Karlton in his wisdom realized I was not qualified to represent myself and my constitutional rights while caught in a battle between the State and Federal A.G's and so he appointed Sue Christian and the kings civil right clinic  at U.C. Davis to represent me. she and her students were tireless in their fight for my rights and took the time to learn just what it was that i was fighting to practice. She told me one day that the state had potential witnesses who wanted to interview me. professor Robert Elwood and Barbara McGraw they came to see me and i was impressed by Barbara in many ways her understanding of the craft, the way we conversed about certain things that didn't lead to the breaking of any oaths, but also by her energy, her inner and outer beauty. That night was when i had a vision of the HYA and the Goddess Aset placing it in my arms. I later heard from my lawyer that those two witnesses were not the state witnesses now, but our witnesses and the state was interested in a settlement agreement which meant that the CDC was recognizing we were a Religion where they had been saying that we were based in human and animal sacrifice, which I had responded we are not Abrahamic and lead them to the bible of their practice. Sue also told me that Barbara's mate the Rev. Patrick McCollum wanted to be a volunteer wiican Chaplain to help get things established. I found he was strongly involved with or shared acquaintance with those Stalwarts I spoke of and who I admired. I liked his confidence and strength. Our first service was in Tehachapi State Prison, many of us who were released from Shu in Pelican Bay was allowed to go to Tehachapi which was a Shu kick out yard and a battle for the yard existed but also something new that the Administration and its officers didn't want or respect, they called us Devil worshippers and I told them I do not worship in any thought or form and many sought to get an understanding but that didn't stop the harassment and threats that Pat endured, using his own money to come all the way from Moraga to establish our services. He had the same quiet confidence, and some asked him one of those stupid joke type questions and his response showed a humbleness and patience, but he also shared knowledge, while also letting that person and the rest of us know he wasn't enduring this harassment and threats for bull, it was to establish the foundation of what was important to those of us who believed in it and that was the ability to practice our Religion. He showed an example of his magickal aptitude. When the services were over everyone wanted to be kept on the list and many more to be added. It established the desire to talk when a problem existed. Pat did something that surprised many of us with a quiet test of his truthfulness. An associate of mine was going home soon and did not have a support system or job waiting for him. Pat told him to contact him, he helped him get established and get a good job which made him want to do his best because he didn't want to disappoint Pat. Him and Barbara marshalled the support of the Pegan community and got others involved. I was so Grateful to have Pat McCullum & Barbara Mcgraw.