In the heart of Mirando City, Texas, stands the home of the late Amada Cardenas, a revered figure known as the 'angel of peyote.' Cardenas, a Mexican American peyotera, was the first authorized dealer of peyote in the United States. Her legacy as an elder and healer among Native American peyote people is deeply cherished.
Cardenas learned the peyote trade from her father in her early years and, alongside her husband, became the first federally licensed peyote dealers in the 1930s. Despite facing legal challenges over the interpretation of peyote laws, the Cardenases staunchly supported Native Americans' rights to use peyote in religious ceremonies.
Throughout her life, Cardenas welcomed generations of Native American Church members to her home, which now serves as a shrine and museum honoring her contributions. The living room is adorned with family photos and gifts from the peyote people she hosted, while the bedroom holds countless letters from Native individuals seeking her prayers and blessings.
Visitors to Cardenas' home describe a palpable sense of love and spirituality. She was regarded as the matriarch of the Native American Church, embodying values of love, faith, hope, and charity. Her dedication to preserving peyote as a sacred medicine for healing resonated deeply with those who knew her.
Cardenas' profound connection to the land where peyote grows was evident in her daily life. She shared Spanish peyote songs during ceremonies and was seen as a living representation of the peyote spirit. Her mission was to ensure that Native people had access to this sacred plant for spiritual and healing purposes.
Today, Cardenas' legacy lives on through the stories and memories of those who were touched by her presence. Her impact on the Native American Church and the peyote trade continues to be felt, reminding us of the enduring power of faith, love, and cultural preservation.
