Indigenous Ceremonies

Smudging is an Indigenous practice that involves the burning of smudging materials such as sage and sweet grass, these are traditional plants that can be harvested within the Central Alberta area. 

• Indigenous Services has hosted Medicine Picking during the summer term in the 2022/2023 academic year. Students, staff and faculty are able to attend our upcoming gathering and will have the opportunity to learn from an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper. If you are interested in attending our next opportunity during the upcoming summer term please connect with Indigenous Services. 

Purpose of Smudging

Smudging has many different purposes, but is a way to ground ourselves, cleanse ourselves, spaces and release negative energy, to connect with creator. 

We cleanse our minds to think good thoughts and have good things come to us in our mind, we cleanse our ears to hear the things we need to hear, we cleanse our eyes to see the things we need to see, we cleanse our mouth to have the strength to speak our truth, and we cleanse our heart to keep it pure. 

Smudging may occur at many types of gatherings on-campus, such as:

• Indigenous Services Events
• Regular classes and/or classes with guest presenters
• Various meetings and events on campus

There are several policies and procedures that have been created and provide guidance for on-campus smudging, they are found below. 

• Smoking, Cannabis, and Tobacco Use

• Smudging Protocols On-Campus (Coming soon)

The intent to smudge must be indicated at the time of booking a space and be approved by Room Bookings prior to the booking time. Signage must also be displayed according to on-campus procedures and can be picked up in the Gathering Place and/or found HERE.

According to traditional Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, ceremony is a way of life and life is seen as ceremony; breath is ceremony, life cycles and growth is ceremony. On campus, the ceremony that occurs exists within these same beliefs, understandings, and value systems. Some of the ceremonies that take place on-campus and in the community can include:

• Smudging
• Pipe Ceremony
• Drumming
• Feasts
• Sweats
• Tea Dances
• Round Dances
• Pow Wows

Each ceremony will have different types of protocol and processes, but they are often lead by an Indigenous Elder or Knowledge Keeper. 

Smudging and prayer begins every Indigenous ceremonies, event and or meeting. 

The intent to smudge during ceremony must be indicated at the time of booking a space and be approved by Room Bookings prior to the booking time. Signage must also be displayed according to on-campus procedures and can be picked up in the Gathering Place and/or found HERE.