Guidelines for Indoor Indigenous Ceremonies
1.0 Scope
This policy applies to all students, staff, faculty, and visitors to the University. Indigenous ceremonies included within this policy are smudging, pipe ceremonies, and kullik burning.
2.0 Policy
Under the Province of Manitoba’s The Non-Smokers Health Protection and Vapour Products Act, smudging and the use of tobacco in pipe ceremonies indoor are permitted. Brandon University has recognized that smudging and pipe ceremonies are a part of many Indigenous Peoples’ traditional way of life and are therefore permitted on campus. Within this policy, indoor ceremonies will involve the burning of traditional medicines.
Permanent indoor ceremony locations include the He Oyate Tawapi Room in the Health Studies Building and the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre in the George T. Richardson Building. Permanent ceremony locations are exempt from any requirement to request accommodation or to provide notice to the broader campus.
Indoor ceremonies located outside of the permanent ceremony areas are permitted, however notice must be provided. As such, please ensure the following steps are completed prior to holding an indoor ceremony:
- Submit a FAMIS work order to Physical Plant. Physical Plant will determine the appropriate ventilation requirements without creating an uncomfortable experience for campus members.
- Send notice to the dean, director, manager, or supervisor of the building or space involved. They are required to inform other building occupants of the ceremony and provide accommodations if necessary.
- Post an “Intent to Smudge” signage (see Appendix A) on the door to the room where the ceremony is being held on the scheduled day. Additional signs should be posted within the vicinity of the smudging ceremony.
- Only remove signage once the aroma of the ceremony has dissipated (usually 1-2 hours following the ceremony).
- Ensure all remnants of the smudging ceremony are properly taken care of once the smudge is complete.
3.0 Definitions
3.1 Pipe Ceremony
Tobacco is used in pipe ceremonies by a pipe carrier to carry prayers to the Creator.
3.2 Smudging
The act of smudging is part of the traditional lifestyle and culture of Indigenous Peoples. Smudging involves the burning of traditional medicines (cedar, sage, sweetgrass, and tobacco).
Sage is a herb that grows naturally in the prairies and produces a musky odour. Sage smells slightly sweet when it is dried and burned. Though the scent is fairly strong and distinct when it is burned, the smoke associated with it is minimal and lasts a very short time.
Sweetgrass is long, braided strands of a specific grass variant found in wetter land areas. It has a very mild aroma and produces even less smoke than sage. A sweetgrass smudge is burned primarily for purification and to help create a positive mind set.
Cedar emits a pleasant smell. It is used for healing and to attract good energy.
3.3 Kullik
A kullik is a soapstone lamp containing seal, whale, bear or caribou oil that burns very slowly, has very little smoke, and a moderate smell. The kullik-burning is a ceremonial practice of the culture of Inuit people. Traditionally, the kullik provided heat, dried clothes, and melted ice. Today, the burning of the kullik is ceremonial.
4.0 Accountability
The Vice-President (Administration and Finance) and Indigenous Initiatives are responsible for the communication, administration, and interpretation of this policy.
5.0 Review
Formal review of this policy will be conducted every three (3) years. This policy may be revised or rescinded if the President deems necessary or if there are changes within legislation which require such.
6.0 Previous Policies
Policy Guidelines for Traditional Aboriginal Activities on Campus, October 29, 2003 (revoked)