An Educational, Conservatory, and Religious Organization

The Peyote Foundation has established a strong precedent for the legally protected religious use of the peyote cactus by sincere people of all races and creeds. TPF has been in existence as an educational, conservatory, and religious organization since the Spring of 1996. One of the main instigating factors leading to the formation of TPF was a Oct. 1995 confiscation, and the eventual return of over 1000 living peyote plants by Pinal County authorities. We have for several years carefully tended these plants from seeds and cuttings, designated as stock plants in our conservatory for this increasingly threatened species. The care and preservation of peyote is, for us, a central religious devotion in and of itself. Because of the high-intensity, SWAT team style raid on our property, our work was brought to public awareness in the form of considerable media attention, thus prompting the heightened need for factual information regarding the peyote religion in general, and our mission and beliefs specifically. Though our legal defense has been a source of great personal and financial strain, the events which gave rise to TPF have been overwhelmingly positive. TPF currently has over 200 members, composed of people from diverse professions, religious creeds, and nationalities. TPF has established these three main objectives as its goals: EDUCATION, CONSERVATION, and INSPIRATION.

EDUCATION

TPF has published four editions of its Journal. Approximately 2000 complimentary copies of issue #1 were sent out world-wide with the help of the Multi-Disciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a non-profit educational and research organization based in North Carolina. Subsequent issues have been distributed to subscribing members of TPF and through retail outlets. TPF maintains an on-line information source via the World Wide Web, through its own site (http://www.peyote.net), in addition to being hosted and linked on related sites. Fostering awareness of the religious use of peyote, establishing a conservatory protocol for the species, and clarifying peyote's legal status on a federal and state-by-state basis have been the main focus of our educational efforts. E-mail and written correspondence is actively maintained with people having questions or comments regarding the divine cactus.

President Mercado has provided information to the U.S.Department of Defense suggesting that their new regulation allowing tribally enrolled enlisted personnel to participate in Native American Church ceremonies be expanded to comply with federal law which allows all NAC members to participate in ceremonies, regardless of race. He has also been an information resource to members of several nationwide press organizations on this and related issues. TPF will soon be publishing a cultivation guide for endangered and medicinal cacti in addition to several other educational publications.

CONSERVATION

TPF continues to work toward the preservation of peyote's genetic diversity. We are in contact with an international array of amateur and professional horticulturists who have expressed concern for, or are already working to halt the shrinking genetic diversity of natural peyote populations. The U.S. Government currently classifies peyote as a CITES listed, threatened or endangered species. Our small greenhouse is a necessary first step in preserving the genetic diversity of the peyote cactus, and larger scale in situ preservation projects are in the planning stages.

INSPIRATION

TPF is working in close association with its members and several chapters and members of the NAC, not only in providing assistance and information, but also by providing a facility for the hosting of religious services. On Feb. 15 of this year, TPF sponsored a NAC ceremony for the express purpose of blessing the land and facility which we maintain as our base of operations. Since that time we have hosted a regular schedule of NAC services, including another for the benefit of TPF which was held on November 8th, 1997. Members of TPF and of the NAC have been brought together for a common purpose in a mutually supportive and spiritually inspirational manner. TPF also regularly hosts visitors and guests, providing each with a personal tour of the facility, a guesthouse, meals, and insight into the inseparable role which peyote holds in our beliefs and practices.

As time goes on, we are learning that this medicine takes care of us, at least as much as we do of it. Please help us continue promoting the awareness of this valuable and endangered sacrament of several hundred thousand Americans. Your donations allow us to promote the concept of home based sacramental gardens which will provide medicine for future generations. Just as importantly, your support will help increase awareness of peyote's cultural and spiritual heritage through our ongoing educational efforts. Thank you for your consideration.

Please support these efforts!

Subscriptions to The Peyote Foundation Journal- $ 25 U.S ____

(4 issues) $35 foreign ____

TPF Membership is available for any donation over $40.

Membership includes annual subscription to TPF Journal

TPF Journal Back Issues-

Vol. II, No. I- $10

Vol I, No.'s I, II, or III,- $5 each

All 4 issues, plus Newsletter Update (Spring "97)- $20

Please include $1 shipping with each order

We gladly accept monthly contributions to help you help us in a substantial way. Please contact our treasurer for more information.

TPF PO BOX 778 KEARNY, AZ 85237

With your help The Peyote Foundation will grow from a seedling, into a garden which provides for future generations. Thank you very much for your consideration and support!