Native American Church

Native American Church
Oliver Wolters · Public domain · source
Name	Native American Church
Formation	1918
Affiliations	American Indian Movement, National Congress of American Indians

Native American Church. The Native American Church is a religious organization that combines elements of Christianity, traditional Native American spirituality, and peyotism, with a strong emphasis on the use of peyote in its rituals, as practiced by Quanah Parker, Geronimo, and other notable Native American leaders. The church was founded in 1918 by James Mooney, a anthropologist who worked with the Bureau of American Ethnology, and Charles Eastman, a Sioux physician and reformer. The church's early development was influenced by the Ghost Dance movement, led by Wovoka, and the Peyote Ceremony, which originated among the Lipan Apache and Comanche tribes.

● History

The history of the Native American Church is closely tied to the experiences of Native American communities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the Dawes Act, the Indian Removal Act, and the Boarding School Era. The church's founding was also influenced by the work of John Collier, a reformer who served as the Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1933 to 1945, and Oliver La Farge, a novelist and anthropologist who was a key figure in the development of the Indian Reorganization Act. The church's early growth was also shaped by the leadership of Solomon Steward, a Creek minister who served as the church's first president, and Stephen M. Veazey, a Mormon missionary who worked with the Ute tribe.

● Beliefs and Practices

The Native American Church combines elements of Christianity, traditional Native American spirituality, and peyotism, with a strong emphasis on the use of peyote in its rituals, as practiced by Peyote Roadmen such as Calvin Harlan and Leonard Crow Dog. The church's beliefs and practices are also influenced by the Vision Quest, the Sun Dance, and other traditional Native American ceremonies, such as the Potlatch and the Give-Away Ceremony. The church's members, including notable figures such as Vine Deloria Jr. and Wilma Mankiller, believe in the importance of living in harmony with nature and honoring the spirits of the land, as taught by Black Elk and other Native American spiritual leaders.

● Organization and Structure

The Native American Church is organized into local chapters, each of which is led by a Roadman or Roadwoman, who is responsible for conducting peyote ceremonies and providing spiritual guidance to the chapter's members, including Native American veterans and Native American women. The church also has a national organization, which is headquartered in Oklahoma City and is led by a president and a board of directors, including representatives from the National Congress of American Indians and the Native American Rights Fund. The church is also affiliated with other Native American organizations, such as the American Indian Movement and the Native American Church of North America, and works closely with tribal governments, including the Navajo Nation and the Cherokee Nation.

● Peyote Use and Legal Status

The use of peyote is a central part of the Native American Church's rituals and ceremonies, and is considered essential to the church's spiritual practices, as recognized by the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Employment Division v. Smith. However, the use of peyote is also regulated by federal law, including the Controlled Substances Act, which classifies peyote as a Schedule I controlled substance. The church has worked to protect its right to use peyote in its ceremonies, including through the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, with the support of Congressional leaders such as Senator Daniel Inouye and Representative Morris Udall.

● Relations with Other Churches and Governments

The Native American Church has relationships with other Christian denominations, including the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA), as well as with other Native American spiritual traditions, such as the Lakota Sioux and the Ojibwe. The church also works with government agencies, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service, to address the needs of Native American communities, including health care and education, as advocated by Native American leaders such as Suzan Shown Harjo and Walter Echo-Hawk. The church has also been involved in interfaith dialogue and ecumenical efforts, including the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches, and has worked with international organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization of American States.

● Criticisms and Controversies

The Native American Church has faced criticisms and controversies over the years, including concerns about the use of peyote and its potential health effects, as well as criticisms from some Native American communities who view the church as too closely tied to Christianity and European-American culture, as expressed by Native American scholars such as Ward Churchill and Andrea Smith. The church has also faced challenges from government agencies and law enforcement officials who have sought to restrict the church's use of peyote, as seen in the case of United States v. Boyll. Despite these challenges, the church remains an important part of Native American spiritual life and continues to play a vital role in the lives of its members, including Native American artists such as Fritz Scholder and Allan Houser.

Category:Native American organizations