Native Peoples’ Religious Liberty & Sacred Sites
Until the passing of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act in 1978, Native spiritual traditions were not recognized by the U.S. government as religions. Subsequent legislation has been passed to more clearly define and protect Native rights, but legal shortcomings remain when it comes to fully protecting Native religious freedoms, particularly with regard to sacred land.
In fact, the Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that private, corporate, and governmental land holders' rights to own and develop land took precedent over Native religious freedoms regardless of the detrimental effects it could have on Native religious practices. Because many religious sites were taken from Native peoples in violation of treaties the U.S. held with tribes, today most sacred sites are not owned by the groups for whom they hold so much significance. Sites like Bear Butte and the Black Hills—where Mount Rushmore has been carved—are being destroyed and withheld from the Native communities that should rightfully have access to them.
Links
- Whose Land is This?: A report from the Friends Committee on National Legislation on prayer circles at the U.S. capitol to protect sacred Native sites.
- The Sacred Land Film Project: Check out their interactive map of sacred sites and tools for action.
- Protect Sacred Sites: A grassroots organization focused on protecting sacred lands and stopping desecration of burial grounds and the illegal sale and trade of ancient artifacts and burial items.
- Sacred Sites International: A non-profit organization devoted to preserving sacred sites. Check out a list of their preservation campaigns.
For more information contact socialjustice @ uua.org.
This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors and congregations. Please consider making a donation today.
Last updated on Thursday, August 25, 2011.
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