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About Us

Rooted in Tradition. Growing in Spirit.

The Friendly Fellowship was founded as a sacred gathering space of SpiritKeepers Native American Church, honoring the ancestral teachings of the Red Road while offering a bridge for all faiths to experience prayer, healing, and sacred community.

Our fellowship exists to promote harmony with Mother Earth, personal healing through ceremony, and remembrance of Spirit within all living beings. We are guided by ancient wisdom and a modern vision: that all paths of light lead to the same Source of Love.

Our Core Values

Unity in Diversity oo

Honoring all walks of life and faith

Healing through Ceremony

Restoring balance through sacred practice

Respect for Sacred Medicines

Walking with reverence and responsibility

Service to Humanity and Earth

Acting with love in all we do

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Legal Protections

Federal Statutes

  • Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) – 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb.
    Prohibits the government from substantially burdening a sincere religious practice unless it shows a compelling interest and uses the least‑restrictive means.

  • American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) – 42 U.S.C. § 1996.
    U.S. policy to protect and preserve the inherent right of Native peoples to practice their traditional religions, including the use of sacred plants.

  • Peyote Exemption – 42 U.S.C. § 859.Allows possession, use, and transport of peyote for bona‑fide traditional ceremonial purposes of the Native American Church.

spiritual community

  • Native American Church Exemption – 21 C.F.R. § 1307.31.
    Exempts Schedule I substances when used non‑drug‑wise in a bona‑fide Native American Church ceremony.

  • Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) – 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc.
    Bars' land‑use regulations that substantially burden religious exercise unless the government meets the same compelling‑interest / least‑restrictive means test.

  • 42 U.S.C. § 1983 – Civil action for deprivation of rights.
    Allows individuals to sue state or local officials who violate constitutional or federal rights, including free‑exercise protections.

Landmark Cases

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  • Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah, 508 U.S. 520 (1993) – The Court struck down ordinances that singled out a religious practice because they were not neutral and generally applicable.

  • United States v. Boyll, 774 F. Supp. 1333 (D.Nev. 1991) – The NAC peyote exemption applies to all sincere members, regardless of tribal affiliation.

  • Gonzales v. O Centro Espírita Beneficente União do Vegetal, 546 U.S. 418 (2006) – Under RFRA, the government may not prohibit a church’s sacramental use of ayahuasca without a compelling interest and the least restrictive means.

  • Jensen v. Utah County, No. 2:24‑cv‑00887‑JNP‑CMR (D. Utah 2025) (preliminary injunction) – The court enjoined the county from enforcing drug laws against a church’s psilocybin ceremonies, finding a substantial burden under RFRA.

  • Holt v. Hobbs, 134 S. Ct. 635 (2013) – RLUIPA requires the government to use the least restrictive means; a prison policy banning a religious beard was invalid.

  • Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., 134 S. Ct. 2751 (2014) – Closely held for‑profit corporations are protected by RFRA; the contraceptive mandate substantially burdened religious exercise.

  • Priests for Life v. United States Dept. of HHS, 808 F.3d 1 (D.C. Cir. 2015) – RFRA’s compelling‑interest/least‑restrictive‑means test applies to any government action that burdens religious practice.

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