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The Masset RCMP has recently been receiving information from concerned citizens of Haida Gwaii about a group called the Earth People United and the groups founder Erick Gonzalez.

The groups website states that their mission is to connect people to the natural and spiritual world, and to bridge the wisdom of the Ancient Ones with the world of today. One of the concerns raised by the public is that the group is encouraging and facilitating the use of hallucinogenic drugs during the religious ceremonies in order to experience a spiritual state of mind. It has been reported that drugs such as peyote, mescaline and ayahuasca are being used during these ceremonies to elicit hallucinations that are then being interpreted as spiritual or ceremonial. It should be noted that mescaline in any form is a controlled substance and is listed in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) under Schedule III of the act. As such possession or distribution of mescaline would contravene the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and could result in charges under the CDSA.

The Masset RCMP is urging the public to think critically about the use of these so called "healing" or "spiritual" drugs. Not only are some of these substances illegal in Canada but it has been reported that they can produce negative long term side affects to a persons health and well being. These side affects have been described as insomnia, anxiety, emotional instability and headaches which can also be accompanied by various other physiological reactions. The illegal nature of these hallucinogenic drugs and their health risks should be taken very seriously if considering their use.

The other significant concern being communicated by community members is that traditional Haida gifts are being given to the groups founder, Erick Gonzalez. These culturally relevant gifts are provided in addition to a fee that is required to attend the ceremonies and take part in the spiritual gatherings. There is concern among community members that the motivation for accepting these gifts is for the monitory value of the gifts instead of the cultural significance that is usually associated to gift giving in the Haida Nation. The tradition of gifting is an widely accepted practice and is not suggested that it should be stopped. What is of concern is the expectation of receiving a gift. Any group or individual that expresses an expectation to receive a gift, should be questioned in regards to their motives.

The Masset RCMP would like to encourage people to question the actions of individuals or organizations who claim to provide a spiritually healing experience in exchange for a monetary sum.

At this time Masset RCMP is continuing the investigation into this matter and encourages people who may have further information to contact Cst Scott McDiarmid of the Masset Detachment at (250)626-3991.

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Erick holds some of his events in a run down, unsafe place in Guatemala.

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http://forum.culteducation.com/read.php?4,4952,58726#msg-58726

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THIS IS A LIABILITY WAIVER- PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

I hereby apply to participate as Member of the Self-Transformational Journey to Guatemala organized by Mayan Shamanism and/or TJU-EPU, and taking place November 16- Dec 5, 2009. Mayan Shamanism and/or TJU-EPU acts only in the capacity of tour sponsor and while exercising every possible precaution is not responsible for injury, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or other irregularities which may be caused either through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of the companies or individuals providing or engaged in transportation, accommodation, or other services related with the execution of this journey and/or any travel participants choose to do before or after the organized trip. Furthermore, Mayan Shamanism and/or TJU-EPU shall not be legally or financially responsible to any trip member in the event of cancellation of all or part of any trip due to acts of nature, government actions, civil unrest or hostilities, acts of terrorism, or for the default of any tour operator, travel supplier, process facilitator, speaker, medicine person, acts of God and any other events beyond their control. In addition, Mayan Shamanism and/or TJU-EPU reserves the right to modify or withdraw and tour arrangements deemed necessary for the best interest of the tour members. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person in the participation of any of the scheduled activities.

Mayan Shamanism and/or TJU-EPU recommends the purchase, by each tour member, of appropriate travel accident insurance, baggage insurance, tour operator/carrier default protection insurance, trip cancellation insurance, health and life insurance, and possible vaccinations when deemed necessary. Mayan Shamanism and/or TJU-EPU is not responsible for any of the above mentioned items.

I, ___________________________________________________ (full name), understand that this event is intended to offer participants deep inner transformation, significant personal input and spiritual insight, and is designed to provide an opportunity to activate and integrate emotions and feelings which might be intense in nature. I understand that I might experience deep emotions and unusual physical sensations during ceremonial and other altered state processes offered during this event. I understand that nothing relating to psychotherapy or medical care will be provided to me by anyone connected with the organizing of this event. I understand that meditation, chanting, breathing processes, sacred medicine practices, and indigenous healing ceremonies and initiations are experimental in nature and that their effect (if any) on pre-existing or latent pathological mental, emotional, or physical conditions is unknown. I understand that no claims are made about any specific results that I might receive from this self-transformational event. I understand that this event is a self-selected improvement process and that all results that I get from this event are created by me and by no one else.

If I have any concerns about the effect that this event might have on my physical, mental, or emotional condition, I understand that it is recommended that I consult a licensed physician or psychotherapist prior to participating in this event. By this application, I hereby assume all risk for any injuries or discomfort that I may sustain in the pursuit of the activities included in this event. I, on behalf of myself and my heirs, distributees, guardians, legal representatives and assigns, do hereby remise, release, and forever discharge Mayan Shamanism and/or TJU-EPU and any other facilitators of this event, their affiliated organizations, employees, and independent contractors, from any actions, claims, suits, damages, or judgments that may result from any injury (physical, mental, or emotional) or disturbance that I may sustain as a result of my participation in this event. I further agree to indemnify fully anyone who is sued on my behalf in connection with this event and to fully pay any legal fees they incur in connection with such lawsuit. My signature on the bottom of this LIABILITY WAIVER will confirm that I have carefully read and that I understand the nature of the self-transformational event described by this document.

NB “By accepting this waiver you may be waiving legal rights and claims. By signing you are assuring that you understand the extent of this waiver and accept its terms.”