{"id":1682,"date":"2023-08-17T16:02:43","date_gmt":"2023-08-17T20:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/indigenous\/cisce\/?page_id=1682"},"modified":"2025-11-10T11:07:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T16:07:19","slug":"smudging-on-campus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/indigenous\/cisce\/policies-procedures\/smudging-on-campus\/","title":{"rendered":"Smudging on Campus"},"content":{"rendered":"

Across Turtle Island, it is a common practice for many First Nations and M\u00e9tis communities to burn traditional medicines (sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and\/or tobacco) in an abalone shell with smoke rising up to the Creator. This practice is called ‘smudging<\/a>‘. Depending on the individual and\/or Indigenous group that is partaking in this ceremony, there are sometimes different beliefs associated with the smoke, and there may be different ceremonies and protocols.\u00b9<\/p>\n

‘Smudging’ is a purification and cleansing ceremony that works against negative beliefs and thoughts from a person or a place. Because smudging is vital to many Indigenous Peoples, many environments are increasingly modifying their policies and operations to accommodate smudging within their buildings by designating certain areas for smudging. The Ontario Human Rights Code has incorporated this right in its ‘Creed and Human Rights for Indigenous Peoples’ Subsection<\/a>. At Carleton University, the 2020 Kin\u00e0m\u00e0gawin Report<\/a> was released and specifically addresses the need for smudging on campus:<\/p>\n