Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics
Native American Church
We accept Pay Pal, personal check and cash. All donations go directly to our Native American church account and are used directly to support our ministries.
Goods and can also be transferred in consideration as a donation. Personal checks can be made out to The Sanctuary on the Trail, Inc. and mailed to: Sanctuary on the Trail The Native American Church of Virginia P.O. Box 123 Bluemont, VA 20135 All volunteers, including Chris and René are non-paid volunteers. The Sanctuary on the Trail™ is a nonprofit, charitable organization and is an IRS 501(c)3 compliant Native American church of Virginia. Contributors are entitled to receive 100% tax deduction. |
Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct is a guide in participating in Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church: Membership, Outreach Participation Programs, Volunteer Committee Programs and Sacred Ceremonies.
Those who wish to be a member and receive the blessings and protection of membership must swear with a solemn oath by the following: 1) I understand that people and experiences shared during ceremony or group sessions are sacred and private and will not share outside of the group. 2) I will never share with or sell sacred medicine to anyone that is not a member of ONAC and will verify that fact by checking their member card or contacting ONAC membership before doing so. 3) I will never knowingly harm or take actions that might harm other members physically, emotionally and/or spiritually before, during or after ceremony or take advantage of them in any way because of our sacred experience together. 4) I will respect the time and expenses the medicine people incur as they serve me. I will contribute what I can or what they require to their well-being acknowledging the cost and time they contribute to my well-being. Completion of this membership application indicates you do so solemnly swear. |
Code of Ethics
Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church accepts Indigenous Earth-Based Healing sacraments as a part to our established religious believe.
The names for Spiritual Leaders (Medicine Man/Woman) of Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church are known by a variety of sacred callings: Clergy, Pastor, Elder, 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 are honored with these titles. A Sanctuary on the Trail™ 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. All Sanctuary on the Trail™ 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 Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church Medicine person, both take on special responsibilities and understandings: 1) RESPECT. Our Medicine People practice and serve in ways that cultivate awareness, empathy, and wisdom for all Members during ceremonies. 2) PREPARATION AND SAFETY. Each participant 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 here. 3) INSPIRATION AND CHANGE. Efforts should be made to ensure our church 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 PARTICIPATION. The autonomy and dignity of each Member and/or Authorized Participant are respected and preserved by our Medicine People. Participation in 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 Health and Safety 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. Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church respects all empowerment and healing modalities; Indigenous Spiritual Ceremonies, allopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. NAC of VA leadership 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. We believe that many forms of care can be incorporated into empowerment and/or healing for all of our relations, in a complementary manner. 5) INCLUSIVENESS. Sanctuary on the Trail™ 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. Sanctuary on the Trail™ 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. Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church makes absolutely no claims about being in authority or having the ability to conduct saving ordinances. God is calling man until Himself, not man calling man to God. 8) INTERNATIONAL COALITION. Sanctuary on the Trail™ 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. Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church is committed to growth through attraction of service rather than proselytizing for membership. 10) ABUSE NOT PROTECTED. Sanctuary on the Trail™ 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. Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church believes that Creator God proclaimed creation, “good, indeed very good” and that nothing of creation is evil of itself;" therefore sacraments are sacred. Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church does not approve of the utilization of any substance in a manner that would be likely cause harm to one’s self or to others. |
“... Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ … But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the People of God …” 1 Peter 1-10