Oklevueha Code of Ethics, and the importance thereof
Oklevueha Highly encourages all persons interested or even just intrigued with what it is that we're all about to please take a moment to review our long held "Code of Ethics" :
Oklevueha Native American Church accepts Indigenous Earth-Based Healing Sacraments as central to our established religious belief. These include: a. Peyote – the significant Indigenous Earth-Based Healing Sacrament (Eucharist) for this church. b. Any other Indigenous Earth-Based Healing Sacrament (Ayahuasca, Cannabis, San Pedro and etc.) that has been found to benefit the health and welfare of the recipient, so long as it does not place them in harm’s way.
The names for Spiritual Leaders (Medicine Man/Woman) of Oklevueha Native American Church are known by a variety of sacred callings: Chasta, Clergy, Curandera, Doctor, Elder, Mara’akame, Reverend, Roadman, Sacred Prayer Pipe Carrier, Water Pourer and etc. Those who are experienced in some American Native Spiritual Empowering and/or Healing practices and who act to facilitate the spiritual practices of others that are honored with these titles. An Oklevueha Native American Church Medicine Person need not claim exclusive or definitive knowledge of his or her practice, since wisdom and competencies are frequently developed over years of observation and experience.
Even though Oklevueha Native American Church’s primary purpose is to administer Sacramental Ceremonies, an Oklevueha Native American Church Medicine Person is free to choose not to administer a sacrament during any particular American Native ceremony.
All Oklevueha Native American Church Indigenous Ceremonies of North and South America (Birth, Breath, Holy Anointing, Marriage, Passing Over, Prayer Pipe, Sacrament, Spirit Dance, Sun Dance, Sweat Lodge, and Vision Quest, but especially Birth, Sun Dance, Sweat Lodge, and Vision Quest) may include or facilitate extreme mental, emotional and physical transformations. Therefore, when a member chooses to participate in any American Native Ceremony with the assistance of an Oklevueha Native American Church Medicine person, both take on special responsibilities and understandings:
1) RESPECT. Oklevueha Native American Church Medicine People are to practice and serve in ways that cultivate awareness, empathy, and wisdom for all Members during ceremonies.
2) PREPARATION AND SAFETY. Each participant in Oklevueha Native American Church ceremonies must agree to comply with all directions or instructions concerning the safety and well being of all in attendance, from one-hour prior, during, and three hours after ceremonies being conducted by an Oklevueha Native American Church Medicine Person.
3) INSPIRATION AND CHANGE. Efforts should be made to ensure that Oklevueha Native American Church Spiritual Practices are always inspired and conducted in ways that respect the common good, with due regard for public safety, health, and order. Often, the increased awareness gained from American Native Spiritual ceremonies will catalyze a desire in the participants’ lives for personal and social change. In most cases, these changes should only be made after deep introspection and consideration as to how they will affect the other beings connected to the participant. Medicine People shall use special care in assisting the direction of energies of those whom they serve, as well as their own energies, in responsible ways that reflect a loving and respectful regard for all life.
4) CONSENT OF PARTICIPANT. The autonomy and dignity of each Member and/or Authorized Participant are respected and preserved by Oklevueha Native American Church Medicine People. Participation in any Oklevueha Native American Church Ceremony must be voluntary and based on prior disclosure and consent given by each participant while in an ordinary state of consciousness.
a. EXISTING CONDITIONS. Disclosure shall include, at a minimum, discussion of any elements of the ceremony that could reasonably be seen as presenting physical or psychological risks. In particular, first time Authorized Participants must be advised that American Native Ceremonies can be difficult and dramatically transforming.
b. WATCHFULNESS. The Medicine People will monitor the Health and Safety of participants during the ceremony and the few hours of vulnerability that may follow a ceremony carefully with reasonable preparations.
c. LIMITATIONS. Limits on the behaviors of Members and Authorized Participants Medicine People are to be made clear and agreed upon in advance of any American Native Ceremony.
d. CONFIDENTIALITY AND CUSTOMS. Cultural / religious customs and confidentiality are to be accepted and honored.
e. OTHER APPROACHES. Oklevueha Native American Church respects all empowerment and healing modalities; Indigenous Spiritual Ceremonies, allopathic medicine, and naturopathic medicine. ONAC Honor’s the fundamental Hippocratic principle of Do No Harm to the Spiritual, Emotional and/or Physical Being of any of our Earthly relations. It recognizes that each modality is intended to promote the health and well being of the participant. It believes that all forms of care can be incorporated into empowerment and/or healing for all of our relations, in a complementary manner.
5) INCLUSIVENESS. Oklevueha Native American Church ceremonies are to be conducted in the spirit of service. Medicine People accommodate Members and Authorized Participants without regard to race, religious affiliations, gender, cultural background, financial status, and/or political affiliations.
6) VULNERABILITY. Oklevueha Native American Church Medicine People are aware during ceremony that Members and Authorized Participants may be especially open to suggestion. Medicine People pledge to protect participants and not to allow anyone to use that vulnerability in ways that harm themselves or others.
7) EMPOWERMENT, NOT SALVATION. Oklevueha Native American Church makes absolutely no claims about being in authority or having the ability to conduct saving ordinances.
8) INTERNATIONAL COALITION. Oklevueha Native American Church is part of an indigenous Spiritual Earth Based Healing and Empowering International Collective that serves individuals and the wider community when and wherever an ONAC member resides.
9) ATTRACTION, NOT ADVERTISING. Oklevueha Native American Church is committed to growth through attraction through service rather than proselytizing for membership.
10) ABUSE NOT PROTECTED. Oklevueha Native American Church abhors; any manner of physical and/or sexual abuse of any under aged person, and any abuse and/or exploitation of ‘any’ person in ‘any’ physical and/or sexual form. The violation of this Ethic by any ONAC member will subject the violator to the full consequence of the Laws of the Land.
11) SACRAMENTS UNDER DIRECTION OF MEDICINE PEOPLE. Oklevueha Native American Church believes any substance admitted into the body may be considered to be a sacrament and has the potential to be harmful if inappropriately used. The Oklevueha Native American Church does not approve of the utilization of any sacrament in a manner that would be likely to cause harm to one’s self or to others. “Controlled” substances must be used under the direction of medicine people to be legally protected.
