One of IMC Fund's primary purposes (after supporting biocultural conservation in Indigenous territories) is lifting up the voices of our partners toward the protection of future generations. This is part of a short series that includes reflections from our partners who participated in Psychedelic Science 2025.

Sandor Iron Rope (Tetonwan Lakota) is a founding board member of the Indigenous Peyote Conservation Initiative, one of IMC Fund's key partners. At PS2025, he presented on several panels, including "Churches and the New Psychedelic Emergence: Ancestral Medicines and the Growing Movement," "Peyote: Ancestry, History, and Biocultural Considerations for Right Relationships," and "Possibilities and Recommendations from the Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund." He was one of the main facilitators of a full-day workshop, "Plant Medicines, Indigenous Healing Traditions, and Right Relationship" and gave remarks and shared a song in the conference's closing plenary.

Here, he shares some reflections on his participation in the world's biggest psychedelic science conference:

"As an Indigenous ceremonial voice within the Psychedelic space, it has always been a challenge managing various energies. Some energies are very extractive, aggressive, and profit-oriented, and some are heartfelt inquiries into rightful relationships and healing, referencing Indigenous stewardship with some spiritual plants. It's overwhelming and frustrating at times, seeing your life ways being disrespected, appropriated, and exploited for profit with a clear lack of historical context; however, Indigenous voices are essential in deepening a Global understanding of plant medicines and policy reform, and restoring harmony.

I have attended Psychedelic Science since 2017 and have noticed a small portion of the audience having a deeper awareness of Spirit. Scientific research provides data that show curative properties and cognitive shifts that come as a result. In most cases this can be explained by the spiritual nature of healing.

Indigenous communities have been blessed to be stewards of many medicinal plants; they are Spiritual caretakers. Indigenous communities have been practicing and preserving their teachings for a time immemorial. Many Indigenous practitioners have planted spiritual seeds throughout the Globe for decades for the greater understanding; however, cultural knowledge has been appropriated, exploited, and is under threat.

Indigenous worldviews have also been shared for decades via books, workshops and some of the spiritual seeds that have been planted have sprouted in various places. This year’s theme at Psychedelic Science 2025 was a bit more welcoming for Indigenous voices: ”Integration, Rightful Relationships”. We are not at an integration yet, but our unified Indigenous voices within the Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund (IMC Fund) have made a significant impact this year.

The disconnect is the Western way of thinking, implementing Western policies with spiritual medicines that are governed by natural laws. There is a lack of acknowledgement and understanding of the impacts on these bio-cultures. Western policies that affect spiritual plant medicines need Indigenous consultation.

The inclusiveness of Indigenous voices in these psychedelic spaces is long overdue. Over the past few years, Indigenous voices have unified, and non-Indigenous allies have emerged. With any relationship, we must all continue to nurture this trust for the greater good, for the great paradigm shift necessary for our survival. We have a long way to go in restoring balance in this World, yet we must always remain respectful towards one another, teachable, and hopeful in this prayerful movement of life for the sake of all of our healing.”

- Sandor Iron Rope

Tetonwan Lakota