similar to that recently circulated to tribal leaders by Senator Inouye. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that to that end, the Native American Church, Half-Moon Fireplace petitions Congress to immediately hold hearings on legislative proposals that have been developed to protect Native American religious freedom, with the goal of passing legislation by the end of 1993; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States Government, through its departments, appropriate money and Indian personnel to implement the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. CERTIFICATION I, the undersigned, as Secretary of the Native American Church, Half-Moon Fireplace, State of Wisconsin, Inc., hereby certify that the Native American Church, Half-Moon Fireplace, State of Wisconsin, Inc., of whom 3 constituting a quorum were present at the meeting duly called and convened the 27th day of December, 1992, and the foregoing resolution was duly adopted at said meeting by an affirmative vote of 8 members, Q opposed, Q abstaining, and that said resolution has not been rescinded or amended in any way. Dated: December 28, 1992 NATIVE AMERICAN CHURCH, Helene C. Lincol HELENE C. LINCOLN, Secretary WHEREAS, WHEREAS, The use of Peyote, also known as Lophophora Williamsii as a sacrament, and other herbs and plants, is widespread among American Indians; and The said position paper discusses the problems surrounding the use of Peyote, also known as Lophophora Williamsii, as a sacramental herb, and other herbs and plants of the Native American Church, and Critical Issues; and WHEREAS, In Lyng V. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association, and in Employment Division, Dept. of Fugan Resources ▼ Saith the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment does not protect traditional Native American sacred sites from destruction (Lyng), or the peyote religion of the Native American Church (Smith): NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That this Organization has a state Charter to deal with other organisations, including Federal, State, and local governments, toward the solution of the problems surrounding the acquisition, possession, and use of Peyote, also known as Lophophora Williamsii, as a sacrament, and the use of other herbs and plants, in the Native American Church rituals and ceremonials; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Organization is authorized and hereby directed to seek all manner of solution to the issues surrounding Peyote, including administrative relief and judicial and legislative remedies, and to seek and obtain the advocacy and support of all agencies, including Federal, State, and local governments, with the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, with appropriate exemptions. The foregoing resolution, was adopted by a majority vote of the Native American Church members, Date January for 1993 Chraham Spotted Fies Abraham Spotted Elk, Sr., President That the Native American Church of Wyoming for Arapahoes Other Tribes urges Congress to enact proposed legislation, similar to that recently circulated to tribal leaders by Senator Daniel Inouye, that will protect Native American religions and basic religious freedom, and to that end the Native American Church of Wyoming for Arapahoes & Other Tribes petitions Congress to immediately hold hearings on legislative proposals that have been developed to protect Native American religious freedom, with the goal of passing legislation by the end of 1992. OTHER TRAIN DATE:-92 American Indian culture, tradition, and history are the basis for Indian identity, values, and uniqueness in the United States of America. There is a common background for Indian culture, tradition, and values, particularly in the area of worship, lifestyles, and the perception of the Indian to his environment. This is to the extent that it has been correctly represented that the "American Indian lived in harmony with nature." This was and continues to be true with the traditional Indian in his manner and style of worship, which manner extends into practically every facet of the Indian way, including culture, social, economic, and other areas of the Indian life-style. Similarly, Indian worship is not readily divided among many forms as it is with Christianity and other religions. The separation of church and state generally does not apply to traditional Indian situations, although there is exception to this, as with any rule. Also unique are the sites, mediums, and methods of Indian meditation and worship. The Indian uses permanent sites, semipermanent sites, and almost every location for his worship. ΤΟ uses every form of nature, including animals, plants, birds, and every form of living and non-living things in his worship, which practices frequently extend to other areas of the Indian lifestyle. The known is extended to the unknown, such as the relating of worship to the morning star. In view of this complex but common background, it is now time for the American Indian peoples of this country to be considering a position from which the contemporary Indian who has been away from the traditional Indian patterns, as well as the rest of the country, can better understand, respect, and relate to the Indian culture, tradition, and values, particularly in the light of some current and critical issues. To this end, this paper was offered to the members of the NATIVE In spite of common backgrounds and similarities, there are a great variety of methods of tradition, culture, and worship among Indians, There is no common value system which can be applied in total across Indian peoples or even among tribes. This variety and difference does not lessen the authenticity nor the peace of mind it brings to tribal and individual practitioners of Indian worship. This worship is mentioned in that it is an integral part of the Indian way of life and culture which cannot be separated from the whole. This oneness of Indian life seems to be the basic difference between the Indian and non-Indians of the dominant society. It may be noted that under the precept of separating "church from state", the churches, thence the religious practices of the United States people, enjoy immunity from regulations, enforcement agencies, and enjoy equal protection -- under the laws of the United States. Recent events indicate that Indians do not enjoy this equal protection in their ceremonial and traditional worship. If this is the case.... it follows that the entire culture of the American Indian is vulnerable to regulation, suppression, and liquidation by imposing over-control measures upon Indians ........ which is inimical to the principle of Indian selfdetermination and the separation of church and state. Recent events clearly identify a critical need for Indians to act now to protect, preserve, and revitalize Indian culture, including life-styles, worship, and equal protection under United States law and the Government. The understanding support, protection, and advocacy of the United States and all of the subdivisions of the Government are needed. In Lyng v. Horthwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association, and in Employment Division, Dept. of Human Resources ▼, Smith, The Supreme Court rules that the First Amendment does not protect traditional Native American sacred sites from destruction (Lyng), or the peyote religion of the Native American Church (Smith). At the same time, Indians must now share their sensitivities, concerns, and aspirations with one another, in order that common positions, may be established; then to share some of these concerns with the rest of the country. Now for some comments on current issues: American Indians have used sites, and all forms of natural and living things in their culture and worship since time immemorial. Indians must now exert every effort to protect their God-given · right to use all living forms in their culture, including their traditional acts of worship, which practices sometimes predate the United States of America, its laws, and even the so-called discovery of this continent PX WESTERN EUROPEANS! Peyote - Its Use and Acquisition. The use of peyote (Lophophora Williamsii) a sacrament, is widespread among American Indians, although it is not universal in any sense. It is mentioned here because the users of peyote, which is another critical issue today facing the Indian way of life, including tradition, culture, and native worship. |