Breaking Boundaries: SoundMind Institute Celebrates Indigenous Victory in Ayahuasca Rights Settlement
Church of the Eagle and Condor | The CEC is a registered church in the state of Arizona birthed in 2018. The purpose of the Church is to promote unity of all people with the Creator.
SoundMind Institute is thrilled to extend a heartfelt congratulations to our exceptional team, with a special shoutout to Belinda Eriacho, our esteemed Lead Instructor, curriculum advisor, and Native American Community Liaison, who has been an integral part of our family since 2019! We are immensely proud of Belinda and our dedicated instructors, advisors, and supporters, including Rodney Garcia, Joe Tafur, Naomi Tsosie, and many others, whose unwavering commitment has led us to this significant moment.
With overflowing love and excitement, we look forward to the incredible opportunities that lie ahead!
THE CHURCH OF THE EAGLE AND THE CONDOR REACHES A SETTLEMENT WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES AFFIRMING THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT TO USE AYAHUASCA
[Phoenix, Arizona] – The Church of the Eagle and the Condor (CEC) is pleased to announce that it has reached a settlement to secure its religious freedom and the right to use Ayahuasca as its sacrament. The CEC has settled its lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
CEC is the first non-Christian church to receive protection for its spiritual practices regarding Ayahuasca. Also, this is the first time in history a church’s right to import and share its sacrament has been secured without going to trial. This has positive implications and paves the way for other Indigenous-based and syncretic religions.
As part of the settlement, within their rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the CEC will receive religious exemption from the United States Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This settlement affirms legitimacy of Indigenous spiritual traditions within the U.S. legal system by recognizing the CEC as a bona fide religious organization.As part of the settlement agreement, the CEC has received Schedule 1 Permits allowing for importation and preparation of its sacrament, as well as distribution during sacred Ayahuasca ceremony. The agreement affirms the CEC’s practices and efforts to protect public/participant safety, and addresses the government’s concerns about the diversion of Ayahuasca. This includes requiring health screening and intake procedures, secure storage of Ayahuasca, careful recordkeeping regarding importation, storage, and distribution, and notification of ports of entry.
The named CEC Plaintiffs, community, Board of Directors, and legal team are pleased with the outcome.
To learn more about this transformative settlement and its implications for religious freedom and indigenous rights, we invite you to read the full article. Together, let us continue to champion diversity, respect, and unity in our shared journey toward a more harmonious world.
