NATIVE AMERICAN CHURCH OF THE GHOST DANCERS

The Native American Church of the Ghost Dancers is a traditional American Indian Church and Religious Organization organized according to IRC 501(c)3, Section 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(a)(i) which is the code that pertains to the tax exempt status of Churches and Church bodies. In addition, the Church was organized by federally recognized American Indians pursuant to Public Law 95-341, 42 U.S.C. 1996 and 1996a otherwise known as the American Indian Religious Freedom Act which was enacted by the Congress of the United States in 1978 to address the past discriminatory practices that were inappropriately instituted against Native Americans, their culture and beliefs. This federal Congressional action has been further augmented by Presidential decree and order per Executive Order 13007 on behalf of American Indians and their religious beliefs and organizations.Because of the special needs and prerogatives of this Church body and the special legal status under which and by which it is organized a traditional American Indian religious community is currently being organized to facilitate the mission of the Church which is an archaic revival to reestablish traditional Native American culture and religious beliefs in this land. Initially, this is being done in the state of California as the Church was originally incorporated and organized in this state. Subsequently, these communities and the work of the Church is planned for other areas to include Oklahoma, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Texas and Tennessee which areas also have burgeoning populations of American Indians or those interested in and sympathetic to Native American cultural traditions. Oklahoma has special federal statutes in place regarding American Indian associations and organizations, i.e. the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act of 1936 which provides for a tribal charter to be issued and recognized by the Secretary of the Interior as a tribal group providing further protection and recognition as an autonomous body and community.Currently, the Church is acquiring real property due to our special status as an American Indian organization. Achukmat Ishanyashke (May You Fare Well)