Peyote Ruling Pleases Tribal Church Members
None by KCPW
(KCPW News) Members of the Native American Church of North America are celebrating a federal judge's decision to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Utah man who claims the right to use peyote in his own religious rituals."They are very pleased with the ruling, in hopes that it will end this difficult period we've been going through because of this case," said Carma Nez, vice president of the Salt Lake Chapter of the Native American Church of North America.
In church rituals, peyote is used in a sacred form of communication with deity. Laws in Utah and the U.S. only allow peyote use by members of federally recognized Indian tribes. James "Flaming Eagle" Mooney and his wife Linda have fought a high profile legal battle to challenge those laws. Nez says it has only created confusion for Native American Church practitioners.
"It's misunderstood as it is," says Nez. "And to have someone cause additional confusion and litigation because of it really does harm to us who are legitimately using our medicine."
The Mooneys are founders of their own Native American Church and have tried unsuccessfully to prove tribal heritage.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW
1. Mikki Roubideaux said:
Only Native Americans who are federally recognized and are part of the Native American Church should only be allowed to use peyote. This is a sacred sacrement for the church and is used for prayer and healing purposes.
2. Curtis Oda said:
As the Legislator who sponsored the bill to protect the sacred use of peyote by only those who are members of federally recognized tribes, I am extremely pleased with the ruling. James "Flaming Eagle" Mooney was fraudulently using and distributing peyote under the guise of religious freedom. It was really only about making money by twisting legal interpretations. Mooney needs to be watched closely and prosecuted should he re-enter this venture again. I hope this case will become a national model to protect the true Native Americans.