Smudging

Boozhoo, Aaniin, Ozaawaanz Memengwaa Inini nindizhinikaaz niin, Waabishkizi Mashkode-Bizhiki indoodem. Ni ondaadad Baaskaandibewiziibing. My English name is Elliot Grisdale, and I am the Indigenous Training Coordinator for CTRI, and part of the Private Contracts Team.

What Is Smudging?

Smudging is a traditional ceremony for many Indigenous communities across Turtle Island, used to purify or cleanse a person and/or spaces of negative energies and thoughts. The practice of cleansing oneself or space of negative energies and thoughts is used by many religions and cultures across the world.

Smudging has been part of my life since before I could remember – my late great grandmother and late grandmother would begin all our family gatherings with a smudge. We did this to start our gatherings and ceremonies in a good way, to cleanse our spirit, and carry our prayers to Kitchi Manitou.

Smudging is a traditional ceremony for many Indigenous communities across Turtle Island, used to purify or cleanse a person and/or spaces of negative energies and thoughts.

How and Why I Smudge

When I smudge, I ground myself in the present by concentrating on my breathing. I reflect on how I am feeling at that moment and express gratitude for the  blessings in my life. I pray for my ancestors to continue to guide me and watch over my family because I am a result of their prayers and intergenerational strength when they walked Mother Earth. I am passing down these teachings to my children so that they can carry the strength of their ancestors and walk gently on Mother Earth.

Smudging can also be used at any point in the day or night. Our Elders have taught us that you should smudge whenever you feel the need to. By smudging, you ground yourself and welcome Creator’s blessings to you, and bring healing to your mind, body, and spirit. The smoke lifts away negative energy, emotions, and feelings. The smoke also carries your prayers up to Kitchi Manitou.

Smudging is voluntary – if a person does not wish to participate in a smudge, they can step aside and say, “all my relations,” or they can leave the room during the smudge.

For our family, smudging involves a container to hold the Sacred Medicines – typically a shell (such as abalone, which is widely used now) or a small cast iron pan. It also includes one or more of the four Sacred Medicines: Sage, Cedar, Sweetgrass, Tobacco. An eagle feather is used to fan the embers and the smoke. You could also use your hands to fan the smoke, but one must not use their breath, as doing so may contaminate the smudge with the negative energy being released through the person’s breath. You should also remove all metal items on your person, as it is believed that items containing metal will hold on to negative energy. An eagle feather is typically used because eagle flies the highest of all winged relatives, and therefore closer to Creator.

Smudging is voluntary – if a person does not wish to participate in a smudge, they can step aside and say, “all my relations,” or they can leave the room during the smudge. A person’s choice to participate or not should be respected. Respect is one of the Seven Grandfather Teachings and a guiding principle for Indigenous Ways of Knowing. If you have been invited to smudge, you can follow along with the actions by the person who invited you, or you can follow the steps below.

5 Steps for Smudging

1. Gather your medicines in your shell or smudge pan.

2. Carefully light your medicines with a matchstick, holding the medicines over the flame until lit.

3. Rub your hands in the smoke to cleanse your hands.

4. Fan the smoke over the feather with your hand to cleanse the feather.

5. With your hands or feather, gather the smoke, and fan:

your hair as you are sacred,

your head, so that you may think good thoughts,

your eyes, so that you may see good things,

your ears, so that you may hear good things,

your mouth, so that you may speak good things,

your heart, so that you may feel good things,

your feet, to ground you and so that you may walk gently on Mother Earth.

The person who lights the smudge will typically keep an eye on it and once it has burned out, they will place the medicines back on the earth, bury the ashes in the ground, or wash the smudge container with water. This practice returns the ashes to Mother Earth.

It is important to note that smudging will vary from Nation to Nation, and the protocols of smudging will also vary. If you have any questions about smudging, it is recommended that you reach out to and connect with Elders and Knowledge Keepers from the surrounding communities in your area.