9 TRADITIONAL PLANTS

FIRST NATIONS TRADITIONAL PLANTS AND USES

Planning your FIRST STEPS learning journey

Many Indigenous Peoples share a holistic world What are traditional plants, view1 that has humans living in a universe made and how do many by the Creator and needing to live in harmony with nature, one another and with oneself. people use them? This world view has an interconnectedness and interrelatedness to all aspects of living on this earth. Each Indigenous culture expresses this world view in a different way and with different practices, stories and cultural items.2 First Nations ceremonies and cultural practices including powwows, sweat lodges, smudging, singing and dancing are expressions of spirituality within this holistic, balanced and harmonious world view.3 The traditional ceremonies4 and medicine wheel5 teachings common to many plains and western First Nations6 have been passed down from generation to generation. The medicine wheel provides a teaching and learning tool for maintaining balance and harmony in all aspects of a person’s well-being including the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions.7 Some sources describe the medicine wheel with its four directions and four corresponding sacred medicines: sweetgrass in the north, tobacco in the east, cedar in the south JULIA MCDOUGALL, 2018. and sage in the west.8 An eagle feather, abalone shell, sweetgrass braid, It is important to note that medicine wheel teachings and Métis sash. can vary, and those wishing to learn more should consult with local Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Cultural Advisors. TRADITIONAL Tobacco is held as a sacred plant11 before use. It is usually picked in by most First Nations people. When the fall or in the winter by tapping PLANTS AND people want an Elder, Knowledge on the frozen fungus until the USES Keeper or Cultural Advisor to pieces fall off.14 give them advice or pray on their What is smudging? Since time immemorial, behalf, they should first offer Indigenous Peoples the tobacco. Generally tobacco Smudging15 is a cultural practice have used plants, trees is not smoked except on special done by many First Nations to and other natural ceremonial occasions. create balance, purify the energies, materials they call feelings and thoughts, and connect Cedar is used for purification sacred medicines9 to promote with the Creator. Today many and to attract positive energy, healthy living and cure illness, Métis and peoples have feelings, emotions and balance. and during ceremonies.10 The incorporated smudging into their Traditionally, First Nations people most common sacred medicines lives. The forms of smudging used cedar for its vitamin C content used by First Nations in vary from Nation to Nation and to help prevent scurvy when fruits for ceremonies are tobacco, cedar, person to person, but all consider and vegetables were unavailable sage, sweetgrass and diamond it as a way of cleansing oneself. during the winter months. willow fungus. These sacred plants Smudging has been passed down thrive in natural outlying areas Sage is a woman’s medicine, from generation to generation. such as wetland marshes, along conferring strength, wisdom and Many schools are creating spaces the edges of lakes and rivers, and clarity of purpose. This powerful to offer smudging for students, in uncultivated meadows and purifying medicine drives away staff, families and community, as pastures. It is important to follow negative energies. Using sage to well as providing opportunities for a traditional protocol that pays smudge is recommended because students to experience a smudging respect to Mother Earth when all people can smudge with sage ceremony in classrooms and harvesting sacred plants; therefore, at anytime. This is particularly schoolwide events. The following indiscriminate picking of these important for women who smudge are helpful suggestions when plants is disrespectful. Teachings when they are on their moon time considering smudging in your about traditional plants and uses, (menses). During this time, women classrooms or school community: including traditional protocol, can only use sage to smudge.12 should be guided by local Elders, • First and foremost, seek guidance Sweetgrass is used by almost Knowledge Keepers or Cultural from a local Elder, Knowledge Advisors. all First Nations people for spiritual cleansing. The braiding Keeper, Cultural Advisor or other of sweetgrass in itself honours Indigenous expert. the teachings of interconnection • Provide background information between mind, body and spirit. on the smudging ceremony When sweetgrass is walked on, it to staff, students and families bends but does not break. Hence, in collaboration with a local it has been associated with the Indigenous expert, including who virtue kindness. If someone has will be offering the smudging suffered an injustice, that injustice ceremony. can be returned with kindness, as • Post the time frame in the area does sweetgrass,13 by bending and and e-mail staff, students and not breaking when walked upon. families in advance. Diamond willow fungus is also • Explore possible allergic used for ceremonial and medicinal sensitivities for students and ISTOCK purposes. It can be found in staff and consider well-ventilated Braided sweetgrass and sage leaves northern Alberta and is dried areas internally and externally.

Walking Together: Education for Reconciliation NEXT STEPS »»» The and residential school system were attempts to assimilate Indigenous Peoples into the dominant European culture. Under these policies, cultural and spiritual ceremonies were prohibited or discouraged and as a result many Indigenous Peoples lost these traditional cultural practices. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of : Calls to Action (2015) addressed this issue by calling for SOURCE: YUET CHAN professional cultural awareness Left to right: Rino Villeneuve, Yvonne Jones, Deborah Lloyd and Patrick Loyer prepare of Indigenous healing practices for a smudging ceremony. such as smudging. In 2016, the fully endorsed the United Nations • Expect that students and staff done. In an educational setting, Declaration on the Rights of may prefer to observe and learn that person may be an Elder, Indigenous Peoples, which states the teachings provided, rather Knowledge Keeper or Cultural “Indigenous peoples have the right than participate directly in the Advisor who has been invited to promote, develop and maintain smudging ceremony. into the school or a staff member, their…distinctive customs, parent or even a student who is • Inquire about existing policies spirituality, traditions, procedures knowledgeable about the practice and regulations within your [and] practices…in accordance of smudging. school division, as well as with international human rights discuss the possibilities with staff Smudging is personal and always and standards.” The Alberta dedicated to building facilities. voluntary. People should never Professional Practice Standards Providing spaces that promote be forced or pressured to smudge. require teachers to enhance their cultural practices aligns with It is completely acceptable for a understanding of First Nations, the Truth and Reconciliation person to indicate that he or she Métis and Inuit world views and Commission of Canada’s Calls to does not want to smudge and that cultural practices to support Action and the United Declaration person may choose to stay in the education for reconciliation. There on the Rights of Indigenous room and refrain or leave the are many situations in the school room during a smudge. Respect Peoples (UNDRIP) and contributes setting where teachers will have for all is the guiding principle in the opportunity to observe and to the reconciliation process. any Indigenous practice.18 participate in cultural ceremonies Who can conduct the smudge? that use traditional plants, and they are encouraged to seek more The act of clearing the air, information about these topics and mind, spirit and emotions may guidance on appropriate protocol be accomplished in a variety of from First Nations, Métis and Inuit ways, but according to many Elders, Knowledge Keepers and First Nations a smudge is led by a Cultural Advisors in the school person who has an understanding community. of what a smudge is and why it is

Stepping Stones | 9 | FIRST NATIONS TRADITIONAL PLANTS AND USES 9. “The term medicine as it is used by First Nations NOTES people does not refer to drugs or herbal remedies. It is Continuing used within the context of inner spiritual energy and 1. A world view is a way of perceiving and healing or an enlightened experience often referred to Your conceptualizing everything in existence. The world view as spiritual energy’s.” www.dancingtoeaglespiritsociety of Aboriginal Peoples are distinct from the world views .org/medwheel.php (accessed September 27, 2018). of the mainstream culture of Canada. Guiding Voices, Learning Glossary of Terms and Concepts, www.learnalberta.ca/ 10. Canadian Encyclopedia, “Indigenous Medicines,” content/fnmigv/index.html (accessed September 27, (Toronto: , 2006), also available at www 2018). .thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/native Journey -medicinesnbspnbspnbsp (accessed September 27, 2018). 2. Western Canadian Protocol Framework for Aboriginal Language and Culture Programs, 11. Alberta Health Services, Traditional Use of Tobacco a) How does Kindergarten to Grade 12 (2000). Glossary, page 131, in Aboriginal Cultures, 2016, www.youtube.com/ understanding https://education.alberta.ca/media/563925/common watch?v=PXFPBD6k73I&list=PLi1tOF1I5ZoUvse4nEljWZC VGIzk8U8S-&index=14 (accessed September 27, 2018). traditional plants -curriculum-framework-for-language-and-culture-k-12 .pdf (accessed September 27, 2018). 12. Aboriginal Education Directorate and uses assist Education and Advanced Learning, Smudging Protocol 3. Aboriginal Spirituality. The Faith Project. http:// and Guidelines for School Divisions, 2014, www.edu.gov educators to thefaithproject.nfb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/TFP .mb.ca/aed/publications/pdf/smudging_guidelines.pdf _Aboriginal_Dec2014.pdf (accessed September 27, 2018). build respectful (accessed September 27, 2018). relationships and 4. To Aboriginal Peoples, ceremony is about 13. KiiskeeNtum (She Who Remembers), Gifts from create inclusive community; ceremony is a way to acknowledge the the Creator for Man’s Use…The Smudging Ceremony, interconnectedness of everything; ceremony is how environments? Windspeaker Publication, 16, no 2, 1988, http://ammsa values and beliefs are taught and reinforced. http://riic .com/node/12407 (accessed September 27, 2018). .ca/the-guide/in-the-field/aboriginal-customs-and b) Why were First -protocols/ (accessed September 27, 2018). 14. Mikisew Cree First Nation Government and Industry Relations, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, Nations spiritual 5. Nicole Bell, “Teaching by the Medicine Wheel: An Sagow Pimachiwin Plants and Animals Used by Mikisew practices illegal at Anishinaabe Framework for Indigenous Education,” Cree First Nation for Food, Medicine and Materials, Public Education Canada Magazine, Canadian Educational Version, (, Man), p 67, www.yourcier.org/ one time, and why Network, 54, no 3 (Summer 2014), also available at www uploads/2/5/6/1/25611440/sagow_pimachiwin_guidebook are these practices .edcan.ca/articles/teaching-by-the-medicine-wheel/ .pdf (accessed September 27, 2018). (accessed September 27, 2018). more widely 15. Canadian Encyclopedia, “Smudging,” (Toronto: accepted now? 6. Chelsea Crowshoe, Sacred Ways of Life: Traditional Historica Canada, 2018), also available at www Knowledge, prepared for the Frist Nations Centre .thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/smudging (accessed National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2005, https:// September 27, 2018). documents.sd61.bc.ca/ANED/educationalResources/ c) What are your 16. Aboriginal Education Directorate Manitoba Miscellaneous/Sacred_Ways_of_Life_Traditional local school board Education and Advanced Learning, Smudging Protocol _Knowledge.pdf (accessed September 27, 2018). and school policies and Guidelines for School Divisions, 2014, www.edu.gov 7. Nicole Bell, “Teaching by the Medicine Wheel: An .mb.ca/aed/publications/pdf/smudging_guidelines.pdf regarding smudging Anishinaabe Framework for Indigenous Education,” (accessed September 27, 2018). in an educational Education Canada Magazine, Canadian Educational 17. Canadian Encyclopedia, “Smudging,” (Toronto: Historica setting? Network, 54, no 3 (Summer 2014), also available at www Canada, 2018), also available at www .edcan.ca/articles/teaching-by-the-medicine-wheel/ .thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/smudging (accessed (accessed September 27, 2018). September 27, 2018).

8. Canadian Cancer Society, “Aboriginal Traditional 18. Aboriginal Education Directorate Manitoba Education Healing,” www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/ and Advanced Learning, Smudging Protocol and Guidelines diagnosis-and-treatment/complementary-therapies/ for School Divisions, 2014, p 5, www.edu.gov.mb.ca/aed/ aboriginal-traditional-healing/?region=on (accessed publications/pdf/smudging_guidelines.pdf (accessed September 27, 2018). September 27, 2018).

Stepping Stones is a publication of the Alberta Teachers’ Association Walking Together Project intended to support certificated teachers on their learning journey to meet the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Foundational Knowledge competency in the Teaching Quality Standard. Walking Together would like to acknowledge the contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members within Alberta in developing these resources.

For additional resources and information on Walking Together, visit www.teachers.ab.ca. www.teachers.ab.ca walkingtogetherata @ATAindigenous

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