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Season One

This season we will focus on North American Indigenous Culture. It’s important to note that North America is made of several tribes and their cultures and beliefs vary.

Ozarks

The Ozarks are the main location for the setting of our story. They are also known as the Ozark Mountains, Ozark Highlands, or Ozark Plateau—are a vast and rugged region in the south-central United States, celebrated for their forested hills, deep valleys, limestone caves, and spring-fed rivers. Despite the name “mountains,” the Ozarks are technically a deeply dissected plateau shaped by millions of years of erosion.

The Ozarks span approximately 47,000 to 50,000 square miles, stretching across:

• Southern Missouri – the heart of the region, home to the Ozark Plateau and cities like Branson and Springfield
• Northern Arkansas – featuring the steep and scenic Boston Mountains and Buffalo National River
• Eastern Oklahoma – including the Cookson Hills, part of the western fringe
• Southeastern Kansas – a small corner that just clips the edge of the region
• Boston Mountains (Arkansas & Oklahoma): The highest and most rugged part of the Ozarks, with Wahzhazhe Summit reaching 2,561 feet
• St. Francois Mountains (Missouri): The exposed geologic core of the region, home to Taum Sauk Mountain, Missouri’s highest point
• Salem & Springfield Plateaus: Named after Missouri towns, these areas form the largest geologic zones within the Ozarks

🌿 Natural Features & Culture

• Rich in caves, springs, and underground streams
• Home to Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, and scenic drives like Highway 19
• A blend of Appalachian grit and Midwestern charm, with strong local traditions and independent spirit

Below is a link if you are interested in visiting and finding out all the Ozarks have to offer.

What States Are The Ozarks In? A Concise (and easy) Overview: The Prophecy of The Hanging Gardens Lore Hub

North American Indigenous Culture

While North American Indigenous cultures are incredibly diverse—with over 500 distinct tribes, languages, and traditions—many share foundational values and practices that reflect a deep connection to land, community, and spirit.

Relationship with Nature

• Belief that all elements of nature—animals, plants, rivers, mountains—have spirit and agency.
• Land isn’t owned but cared for; many tribes see themselves as part of nature, not separate from it.
• Practices and ceremonies often align with seasonal cycles, harvests, and migrations.

Kinship & Community

• Tribes often live in multi-generational households, with elders playing key roles in education and decision-making.
• Stories, songs, and ceremonies pass down history, values, and cosmology—often with rich symbolism and layered meaning.
• Coming-of-age rituals, healing ceremonies, and seasonal festivals are central to cultural identity.

Spiritual Practices

• Many tribes use spiritual journeys or trance states to seek guidance, healing, or transformation.
• Peyote, tobacco, and sweetgrass are used ceremonially to connect with the spirit world.
• Ancestors are honored through stories, rituals, and sacred sites.

Art & Expression

• Totem poles, beadwork, pottery, and textiles often carry spiritual or historical meaning.
• Drumming, chanting, and dance are used to invoke spirits, celebrate life, and mark transitions.

Governance & Values

• Many tribes use councils and communal decision-making rather than hierarchical rule.
• Harmony between individuals, nature, and spirit is a guiding principle.

30 Indigenous-Led Resources for Learning & Growth — CultureAlly: The Prophecy of The Hanging Gardens Lore Hub

Peyote

I focused on the Southwestern Indigenous culture. Particularly incorporating the use of Peyote, which is important to the culture. It is used in a ceremony in season one. I tried to incorporate some elements from the information I could find about real ceremonies to respect the culture. However, I ask my readers to remember that this series is still fiction and not everything is based off facts.

For many Native American tribes, peyote isn’t a drug—it’s a sacred medicine, a spiritual guide, and a cornerstone of ceremonial life. But for over a century, its use was criminalized, misunderstood, and targeted by both federal law and social stigma.

Early Suppression & Misunderstanding

• In the late 1800s and early 1900s, U.S. officials and Christian missionaries viewed peyote ceremonies as pagan or dangerous.
• Anti-peyote campaigns falsely labeled it a narcotic, linking it to addiction and moral decay—despite its ceremonial use being deeply structured and spiritually focused.
• Some Native leaders even opposed peyote, fearing it would hinder assimilation or provoke government retaliation.

Birth of the Native American Church (1918)

• In response to growing threats, Indigenous leaders formed the Native American Church (NAC) to protect their right to use peyote as a religious sacrament.
• This strategic move blended Christian elements with traditional peyote rituals, helping legitimize the practice in the eyes of U.S. lawmakers.
• The NAC became a legal and spiritual shield, advocating for religious freedom and cultural preservation.

Legal Battles & Constitutional Rights

• Throughout the 20th century, NAC members faced arrests, court cases, and legislative bans.
• The turning point came in 1994, when the American Indian Religious Freedom Act Amendments were passed, explicitly protecting peyote use for members of federally recognized tribes.
• This victory was hard-won, involving decades of lobbying, testimony, and grassroots activism.

Ongoing Challenges

• Overharvesting and land development have endangered wild peyote populations, especially in Texas.
• While some branches of the NAC have a blood quantum requirement for membership, it’s not universal.
• Non-Native interest in psychedelics has led to concerns about commodification and disrespect of sacred traditions.

This struggle isn’t just about a plant—it’s about the right to exist, to heal, and to connect with spirit on Indigenous terms.

What a traditional peyote ceremony might look like.

🌿 Setting and Atmosphere

• Location: Often held in a tipi or outdoor sacred space, such as a desert or valley.
• Time: Usually begins at dusk and continues through the night until sunrise.
• Participants: Led by a ceremonial leader or shaman, with participants seated in a circle around a central fire or altar.

🌵 The Peyote Plant

• Species: Lophophora williamsii, a small, spineless cactus native to northern Mexico and the Southwestern U.S.
• Preparation: The “buttons” (top part of the cactus) are dried and either chewed or brewed into a tea.
• Effects: Contains mescaline, a psychoactive compound that induces visions, emotional release, and spiritual introspection.

🔥 Ceremonial Elements

• Fire: A central fire symbolizes spiritual illumination and is carefully tended throughout the night.
• Prayer and Song: Participants sing traditional songs, often accompanied by drums, rattles, and water drums.
• Offerings: Tobacco, feathers, or sacred items may be offered to the fire or placed on the altar.
• Guidance: The ceremonial leader helps participants navigate their experiences, offering prayers and teachings.

🌌 Purpose and Experience

• Spiritual Healing: The ceremony is intended for emotional cleansing, divine connection, and personal insight.
• Community Bonding: Participants often share stories, prayers, and reflections, fostering unity.
• Respect and Reverence: Peyote is treated as a sacred teacher, not a recreational substance.

Texas

Part of our story takes place in San Marcos, Texas.

Texas is home to a thriving powwow scene, where Indigenous communities gather to honor tradition, share culture, and celebrate through dance, music, and storytelling. These events are open to all and offer a powerful glimpse into the living legacy of Native peoples across the region.

It’s important to keep in mind that some may have mixed feelings about the use of this term. As a child we went to these events as we have Indigenous American heritage. My grandfather lived in Texas as well so that was the main reason I chose this as a focal point in Jennifer’s dream walking when she travels through her memories. One of my favorite memories as a child was my family making dream catchers together and even still today I love making unique catcher designs.

You can visit the San Marcos website to learn more about the events.

Sacred Springs Powwow In San Marcos, TX | Annual Events

Origins and Meaning

• The term comes from the Algonquin word “pau-wau,” meaning a gathering of medicine people or spiritual leaders.
• Over time, it evolved to describe intertribal celebrations featuring dance, music, and ceremony.

Contemporary Perspectives

• Many Indigenous people embrace the term as a symbol of cultural pride and resilience. Powwows are seen as vital spaces for community, tradition, and healing.
• However, some express concern when the word is misused—especially in casual or commercial contexts that strip it of its sacred meaning.
• For example:
  • Using “powwow” to describe a business meeting or party can feel disrespectful.
  • Misrepresenting powwows as mere entertainment or costume events can perpetuate stereotypes.

Cultural Sensitivity Tips

• If you’re referring to an actual Indigenous gathering, using powwow is generally appropriate and respectful.
• If you’re using it metaphorically or in a non-Indigenous context, it’s best to choose a different word—like “meeting,” “gathering,” or “brainstorm”—to avoid cultural appropriation.

The Austin Powwow, held annually in November, is widely recognized as the largest one-day powwow in the United States, and certainly the biggest in Texas. It’s a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture, drawing:

• 15,000+ attendees
• 300+ dancers from tribes across North America
• 100+ Native food vendors, artists, and craftspeople

Hosted by Great Promise for American Indians, this event blends tradition and innovation—featuring competitive dance, drum circles, storytelling, and a massive arts market. It’s held at the Travis County Expo Center and welcomes people of all backgrounds to experience the richness of Native heritage.

Have any questions or feedback? Feel free to leave a comment.