"Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" or

The Evolution of the Peyote Religion in Plains Indians

 

Natives are generally notorious for their intense spirituality that overlaps into and dominates many aspects of their life.  Throughout history, they have displayed an astounding adaptability to physical, mental, and spiritual conditions.  Bits and pieces of the ancient Mogollon, Hohokam, or Anasazi cultures, to the Gaiwiio are still preserved in Native American traditions.  The peyote cactus has been used for thousands of years; it has been and is highly regarded for the visions it can give, in some cases purification, healing, indecision, and a range of other curative (not just physically) functions.  This pathfinder is meant to provide some sources that were necessary in the compilation of information relating to the spread of peyote throughout Plains Indian cultures from the lower Rio Grande. 

 

Primary Sources

 

Aberle, David F..  The Peyote Religion Among the Navaho.  2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982.

Aberle's exhaustively researched book is a wealth of information about the varied peyote ceremonies as well as a detailed and thoughtful presentation as to the factors of relative deprivation on reservations that made Indians more receptive to the new religion.  It focuses on the Navaho specifically with large chunks dedicated to research regarding livestock reduction on the reservation.  It was extremely helpful in the analyses given about the peyote rites in its various forms.

 

Aberle, David F.; Stewart, Omer C..  Anthropological Papers Number 108.  Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1984.

These papers provide new information relating to new historical material regarding the contact of peyote in the United States.  Stewart writes mainly about the history and actual ceremonies of Ute peyotism and Washo-Northern Paiute peyotism.  Aberle writes detailing the move of peyotism to the Navaho as well as research about peyotism in the present-day Navaho tribe. 

 

Stewart, Omer C..  Peyote Religion: A History.  Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1987.

This book is a chronological history of the peyote religion.  It discusses the development of peyote in Mexico to the advent of the Native American Church and use of peyote as a sacrament across the United States.  The material contained within it is largely subjective rather than objective; Stewart seems to prefer letting the reader draw his own conclusions than pushing an opinion.

 

La Barre, Weston.  The Peyote Cult.  5th. ed. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1938.

La Barre's book gives "an integrated comparative treatment of the [peyote] religion" (page 9).  His studies of various Native cultures that all partake in the sacramental use of peyote were a precursor to Stewart's Peyote Religion.  Main points of interested covered are the origins of peyote in Mexico and its spread into the Plains tribes.  He gives comparisons between the various types of peyotism. 

 

Secondary Sources

 

"Mind-Altering Rock Art." Science News. 20 July 1996: 41.

This weekly publication is available online as well as by mail.  It gives updates about scientific discoveries, theories, etc.  This article aided in gathering archeological evidence to the longstanding relationship between Indians and peyote.  Information about this magazine can be found online at http://www.sciencenews.org/

 

Roscoe, Will. "Book Reviews." American Indian Quarterly. Winter 1993: 146.

American Indian Quarterly is “a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal of the anthropology, history, literature, and arts of Native North Americans.  Wide-ranging in its coverage of issues and topics, the AIQ is devoted to charting and inciting debate about the altest developments in method and theory” (University of Nebraska Press).  This book review is thoughtful and well-written with helpful critiques and views about Native American issues.  Information regarding this publication can be found at http://nebraskapress.unl.edu/journalinfo/1.html

 

Kiyaani, Mike; Csordas, Thomas J.. "On the Peyote Road." Natural History. Mar 1997: 48

Natural History Magazine has ten issues per year and covers a range of different issues involving “nature, science, and culture.”  In this article, J. Csorda interviews Mike Kiyaani.  He also aided Aberle in his studies of Navaho peyotism and has been a road man for forty some-odd years.  His long-standing in the peyote community is highly-respected.  It can be found online at http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/

 

Stewart, Omer C.. "Anthropological Theory and History of Peyotism." Ethnohistory. Summer 1979: 280

Ethnohistory is a quarterly journal published by Duke University Press.  It is concerned with anthropological and historical approaches to indigenous minorities.  There are numerous respected contributors to the content of the journal, and the journal encourages “theoretical and cross-cultural” exchanges of ideas.  It can be found online at http://www.dukeupress.edu/ethnohistory/

 

Supreme Court Cases: The Dynamic Court (1930-1999). Great Neck Publishing. 1999

EBSCO was a humongous aid during the process of this research, which found this detailed report from the Supreme Court Case about the two Native Americans who were fired from a drug rehabilitation center for ingesting peyote religiously.  Information regarding this journal can be found at http://www.library.armstrong.edu/subguidecriminal.html

           

Fikes, Jay.  “A Brief History of the Native American Church.”  18 Apr 2005.  http://www.csp.org/

The Council on Spiritual Practices is studying entheogens or the benefits from incorporating hallucinogens into spiritual rituals.  “The Council [also] monitors developments in related fields such as psychology, sociology, and the neurosciences.”  This information was helpful in gaining an overview of Native spiritual practices, mostly in its relationship with the Native American Church as well as other such organizations within Indian communities.