What is Smudging?

Smudging is a tradition, common to many First Nations, which involves the burning of one or more medicines gathered from the earth. The four sacred medicines used in First Nations’ ceremonies are tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass. The most common medicines used in a smudge are sweetgrass, sage, and cedar.

Smudging has been passed down from generation to generation. There are many ways to perform a smudge and different variations exist. Historically, Métis and Inuit people did not smudge; however, today many Métis and Inuit people have incorporated smudging into their lives. It's important to note that smudging was illegal in Canada from 1925 - 1951, under the Indian Act.

A community grandmother presented the following as the steps and rationale for this cleansing process we call smudge to Niji Mahkwa School in Winnipeg:

■ We smudge to clear the air around us.
■ We smudge to clean our minds so that we will have good thoughts of others.
■ We smudge our eyes so that we will only see good things in others.
■ We smudge our ears so that we will only listen to good things about others.
■ We smudge our mouths so that we will only speak well of others.
■ We smudge our whole being so that we will portray only the good part of ourself through our actions.

Smudging allows people to stop, slow down, and become mindful and centred. This allows people to remember, connect, and be grounded in the event, task, or purpose at hand. Smudging also allows people to let go of negative feelings and thoughts. Letting go of things that inhibit a person from being balanced and focused comes from the feeling of being calm and safe while smudging.

The forms of smudging will vary from nation to nation but are considered by all to be a way of cleansing oneself. Smudging is part of “the way things are done” and is part of living a good life.

Smudging is always voluntary. People should never be forced or pressured to smudge. It is completely acceptable for a person to indicate that they do not want to smudge. That person may choose to stay in the room and refrain from smudging or leave the room during the smudge. Respect for all is the guiding principle in any Indigenous tradition.

Source: https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/iee/publications/pdf/smudging_guidelines.pdf