Smudging is an important practice for Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. The process of smudging allows for the clearing of negative energy of a person or space. When smudge is lit, it is a time to ground, reflect, pray and express gratitude to the Creator. The moment is sacred for Indigenous Peoples. Smudge brings clarity, comfort and a spiritual connection between the participants and the Creator. We turn to smudge for answers, guidance, and cleansing and the practice is a very grounding, respectful and peaceful moment. Sweetgrass, cedar and different variants of sage are most commonly used here in Mohkinstsis and are all mindfully harvested following protocol.
The Indigenous Engagement team spent some time during the summer months picking sage for daily smudges and smudge bundles to provide to families. The process of picking sage always starts with giving back to the earth for what you are going to take. This is done through giving tobacco to the land, expressing gratitude for the medicine and saying a prayer. We were taught to only take what was needed and to respect the cycles of growth the sage is going through. For example, sage with abundant seeds on the plant are not to be picked, so more grows next year once the seeds fall. Sage should also be cut near the bottom of the stem, never pulled out by the root, so the plant has the opportunity to regrow. A lot of respect, knowledge, and care go into the process of picking medicines and smudging.
The practice of smudging, from the mindful harvest of sage to the moment the smoke rises, is a deeply rooted practice that embodies respect, gratitude, and connection. By adhering to traditional protocols and honouring nature, the Indigenous Engagement team ensures that this sacred medicine is treated with the respect it deserves. Through these practices, we not only cleanse our spirits and spaces but also strengthen our ties to the land and to each other, preserving the wisdom of our ancestors for future generations.
