American Indian Culture and Research Journal

INTRODUCTION North American Indians have used peyote within religious ceremonies for centuries. Because it is worshipped as a deity, peyote is today still important to the religious beliefs and practices of numerous tribes throughout Central and North America Equally, the history of legitimate peyote use by American Indians must be understood as a struggle to maintain tribal religious traditions against various repressive federal and state governmental practices aimed at eradicating Indian culture. Our purpose in this article is threefold. First, we briefly identify the historical repression experienced by American Indians who have used peyote within their religious practices and the Indians’ responses, including the creation of the Native American Church of North America. Second, we summarize recent federal and state court decisions that deal with Native Americans arrested for illegal peyote possession. Finally, we link repression of peyote use and resulting court decisions to larger questions of American Indian religious freedom.