When I first saw the headlines coming out of Arizona regarding a push
to regulate tribal ceremonies, I couldn’t help but think tribal
sovereignty might be in danger.
But then I learned that the effort is coming from tribal leaders
themselves in response to the three Sedona, AZ deaths and 19 illnesses
that took place as a result of a non-Indian sweat lodge in October.
The
horror-inducing mock Native American ceremony was led by spiritual guru
James Ray, who’s being investigated for his role in the situation. His
lawyers have said his actions weren’t criminal.
Tribal
citizens have long said that Native-based sacred rituals shouldn’t be
propagated by new-age spiritualists who really don’t have a solid
foundation in what they are trying to do.
But the new push for
regulation is the first time I’ve heard in recent years that an Indian
leader has drafted legislation to specifically accomplish that goal.
Arizona
state Sen. Albert Hale, D-St. Michael, recently filed a bill that would
regulate the use of traditional Native American rituals, such as sweat
lodge ceremonies, off of tribal lands.
His
legislation calls for the Arizona Department of Health Services to
adopt rules to regulate the practices in consultation with the Arizona
Commission on Indian Affairs.
With the Sedona deaths fresh on
many legislators’ minds – and Ray continuing to court controversy
– the bill may have a chance.
Hale, a former Navajo Nation
president, has said that from what he’s learned about the Sedona sweat,
it was carried out improperly, not in accordance with traditional
Native practices.
The tribal and state politician has noted that
Ray’s sweat lodge included dozens of participants in a plastic-covered
tent while hot rocks were brought in for two hours. Traditional sweat
lodges usually involve around eight people who enter and exit the
structure several times during the course of a ceremony.
In
addition to being a safety mechanism, Hale has said his bill is a way
to protect Native American rituals from being co-opted by others.
“The
dominant society has taken all that we have: our land, our water, our
language,” Hale was quoted as saying. “And now they are trying to take
our way of life. I think it has to stop.”
Joe Shirley Jr.,
president of the Navajo Nation, has said he supports the bill, and
believes that regulating ceremonies would serve to respect his tribe’s
sacred customs.
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