In the arid landscape of southern Texas, vibrant cacti emerge from the dry ground as if by enchantment. This unique ecosphere is home to the bluish-green peyote plant, found only in this area and its northern Mexican counterparts, growing amongst the thorny vegetation of mesquite, acacia, and blackbrush.
For many members of the Native American Church, this region is revered as the “peyote gardens,” where the plant holds immense spiritual significance. Peyote is highly regarded as a holistic healer, essential to the physical and mental well-being of Indigenous communities that have endured the impacts of colonization, displacement, and the gradual loss of their cultural identity.
The peyote cactus contains various psychoactive alkaloids, predominantly mescaline, sought after for its hallucinogenic effects. Under federal law, peyote remains a controlled substance; however, a 1994 amendment to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act permits its use, possession, and transportation for religious ceremonies among Native Americans.
Despite this legal protection, practitioners of peyotism—estimated at around 400,000 individuals across the United States—have increasingly voiced concerns over the diminishing access to peyote, which they affectionately refer to as “the medicine.” They attribute this crisis to poaching and over-harvesting of the slow-growing plant, which takes 10 to 30 years to mature, significantly impacting the species and its fragile ecosystem.
Compounding the problem, experts indicate that habitat loss is exacerbated by agricultural expansion, construction projects, wind farms, and the construction of the border wall, further threatening the peyote’s survival. Most members of the Native American Church agree on the importance of protecting the plant from outsiders aiming to research or exploit its psychedelic properties. However, within the community, opinions differ on the best way to ensure its preservation.
Some organizations led by Native American Church leaders have taken steps to promote sustainable conservation practices, while others express wariness towards investors, fearing potential exploitation. A preference exists for securing funding from the government to bolster protective measures for peyote.
Darrell Red Cloud, an Oglala Lakota, reflects on his experiences involving peyote since childhood, emphasizing its role in deepening connections with the Creator. “Our people were not religious people, we were prayerful people,” he explains, highlighting the cultural importance of peyote in his life.
Frank Dayish, former vice president of the Navajo Nation, likens peyote to the Eucharist within Catholic traditions, stating, “Peyote is my religion; everything in my life is based on prayers through that sacrament.” For many, stories of peyote’s healing nature highlight its role in spirituality and communal practices.
In a pivotal move towards conservation, the National Council of Native American Churches acquired 605 acres in 2017, creating a peyote preserve and spiritual site now managed by the Indigenous Peyote Conservation Initiative (IPCI). Board member Steven Benally recalls the emotional significance of reopening access to a place he once cherished for its spiritual offerings.
At the preserve, the goal is to restore peyote and its natural habitat, promoting propagation while ensuring the plant is not harvested chemically. The site welcomes Native Americans with identification to gather responsibly and engage in ceremonial practices within the surrounding ecological community.
Disagreements persist among advocates regarding whether peyote should be cultivated outside of its natural setting, with many believing that such actions would undermine its sacredness. Stalwarts in the Native American Church advocate for maintaining traditional connections with the land, suggesting that the ceremonial protocols imparted by the Creator are vital for preserving the plant’s integrity.
Funding for conservation efforts has been challenging—many are calling on the U.S. government to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting peyote’s natural habitat, including incentives for landowners to support the initiative. Meanwhile, IPCI has engaged philanthropic support to sustain its operations in preserving the peyote for future generations.
Additionally, the growing interest in peyote among outside groups raises concerns about a potential supply crisis, threatening the Indigenous community’s access to their sacred plant. Currently, only three licensed peyoteros in southern Texas are authorized to legally harvest peyote for Native American Church members, highlighting the limited availability of the plant.
At IPCI, educators encourage the next generation to reconnect with traditional spiritual practices tied to peyote. As these values are instilled into budding minds, spiritual leaders hope that young people will appreciate the therapeutic nature of digital disconnection and grounding themselves in natural traditions.
In a world increasingly defined by technology, there exists a call to embrace ancestral wisdom and recognize the importance of prayer in action. The dedication to preserving peyote and the spiritual practices that surround it continues to remain a vital mission for many Native Americans.
