Book discussion with Dr. Lisa Barnett
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The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) will host Dr. Lisa Barnett for a free educational program at the Oklahoma History Center on Wednesday, June 24, at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Barnett will be discussing her book “Peyote Politics: The Making of the Native American Church, 1880–1937” (University of Oklahoma Press, 2025).
Dr. Lisa Barnett is an associate professor of American Religious History at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. She completed her PhD in history at Texas Christian University, focusing on American Indian history and American religious history. She also holds two graduate degrees from Brite Divinity School—a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology in History. An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Dr. Barnett serves as a trustee for the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, oversees the Isaac Errett student history paper competition, and is the co-moderator of the Center for Indigenous Ministries.
"Peyote Politics" details the rise of Peyotism and the Native American Church in Oklahoma and the Great Plains. The ingestion of peyote by Native Americans during religious ceremonies came under scrutiny by opponents who sought to classify the plant as a narcotic. Peyotists resisted such restrictions by incorporating as the Native American Church in 1918 and securing constitutional protection for peyote rituals. Dr. Barnett frames this history within the context of federal Indian policy and the Progressive Era to show how Peyotists, many of whom were not yet American citizens, honored their Native identities while also securing religious freedom. Peyote Politics was a finalist for the E. E. Dale Award for Outstanding Book on Oklahoma History and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award, Non-Fiction category.
This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.
Dr. Lisa Barnett is an associate professor of American Religious History at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. She completed her PhD in history at Texas Christian University, focusing on American Indian history and American religious history. She also holds two graduate degrees from Brite Divinity School—a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology in History. An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Dr. Barnett serves as a trustee for the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, oversees the Isaac Errett student history paper competition, and is the co-moderator of the Center for Indigenous Ministries.
"Peyote Politics" details the rise of Peyotism and the Native American Church in Oklahoma and the Great Plains. The ingestion of peyote by Native Americans during religious ceremonies came under scrutiny by opponents who sought to classify the plant as a narcotic. Peyotists resisted such restrictions by incorporating as the Native American Church in 1918 and securing constitutional protection for peyote rituals. Dr. Barnett frames this history within the context of federal Indian policy and the Progressive Era to show how Peyotists, many of whom were not yet American citizens, honored their Native identities while also securing religious freedom. Peyote Politics was a finalist for the E. E. Dale Award for Outstanding Book on Oklahoma History and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award, Non-Fiction category.
This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.
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Where is it happening?
800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK, United States, Oklahoma 73105
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherOklahoma Historical Society
