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- Sun Dance (Plains Indians/Sioux)
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Non-Natives viewed the Sun Dance as barbaric and savage due to the self-sacrifice and physical endurance involved. This misunderstanding stems from a superficial observation of the ritual without understanding its deep spiritual significance.
Citation: “They call the sun dance barbarous, savage, a bloody superstition” (Chapter 12, “Looking at the Sun, They Dance” from Lame Deer p. 208).
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This act was created to protect the rights of Native Americans to practice their traditional religions, including the Sun Dance, which had previously been suppressed and misinterpreted by non-Natives.
Summary: Misunderstandings about the Sun Dance led to it being banned and suppressed, as it was perceived as a violent ritual rather than a sacred ceremony. AIRFA was a response to such prejudices, aiming to ensure religious freedom for Native Americans.
- Peyote Use (Native American Church)
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Non-Natives often misunderstand Peyote as merely a hallucinogenic drug, ignoring its sacred role in Native American spiritual practices. This view is influenced by the broader societal stigma against drug use.
Citation: “Euro-American misunderstandings and assumptions about "drugs," with the prototype of "drug use" in the Euro-American imagination perpetually reduced to the figure of the socially dysfunctional heroin addict or drunk escaping from reality" (Calabrese, 2013).
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This act protects the use of Peyote in religious ceremonies for members of the Native American Church.
Summary: The misunderstanding of Peyote as a mere drug led to legal battles over its use. AIRFA ensures that Peyote can be used for religious purposes, addressing the prejudices against it.
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Non-Natives often see sacred masks as mere artifacts or art pieces, neglecting their spiritual and cultural significance to the Iroquois people. This has led to the inappropriate display and commercialization of these sacred objects.
Citation: “For example, the Iroquois request for return of all their sacred masks has not been met” (Irwin).
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This act requires federal agencies and institutions to return sacred objects, including masks, to their respective tribes.
Summary: Misunderstandings about the sacred nature of these masks resulted in their removal and display in museums. NAGPRA was enacted to address these injustices, ensuring the return of sacred objects to Native American tribes.
Summary of Legal Status Influences
The prejudices and misunderstandings of non-Native people have significantly influenced the legal status of these practices and objects. Misinterpretations have led to the suppression and commercialization of sacred rituals and items. However, legislation such as AIRFA and NAGPRA have been established to protect the religious freedoms of Native Americans and to rectify past injustices by returning sacred objects and recognizing the significance of traditional practices.
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