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- Tobacco is used as an offering before you harvest anything from Mother Earth. It is believed to open the door between our world and the Spiritual World and carries our prayers to the Creator in the sky.

- Sage is believed to be a masculine plant and it reduces or eliminates negative energy.

- Cedar offers protection and grounding. It can be placed at entrances to a home. For extra grounding it is placed in shoes for daily wear.

- Sweetgrass is a feminine plant that teaches kindness because it bends without breaking. Because sweetgrass is considered to be the hair of Mother Earth, we show respect to her by braiding it before it is picked. In a smudge it is used to attract positive energy.

    The smoke from these four dried medicines is pushed forward with an Eagle Feather. When we smudge, we first cleanse our hands with the smoke rising from the smudge bowl as if we were washing our hands. Then we draw its smoke over our hearts, our mouths, eyes, ears, small of back and our feet.

- We cleanse our heart to clean it of resentment and ill will and to
  open it to compassion.
- We cleanse our mouth so that what we speak will be truthful and
   honest and said in a caring manner.
- We cleanse our eyes so that they will see the Truth in the world, the
  beauty of Mother Earth and the gifts of the Creator.
- We cleanse our ears so that we will clearly hear the messages of
  others and understand the truth.
- We cleanse the small of our backs so that we will release anger
  gathered there, open ourselves to positive energy and heal.
- We cleanse our feet so that we will walk the True Path, walker
  closer to our friends and families and easily flee our enemies.

Ceremonies - Manidokewinan

Smudge – Pkwenezige Pigitinigewin

    The smudging ceremony is a purification ceremony. Any one of the four sacred medicines can be used. Sometimes all of the sacred medicines are used. The most common one is mshkwadewashk**, otherwise known as sage in English. Some pipe carriers and elders recommend that when people refer to these medicines, it should be in Anishinaabemowin. These medicines are picked from Mother Earth just for the purpose of purification. The four sacred medicines are sema, kiishig, mshkwadewashk and wiingash.

    The smudging ceremony can take place anytime, usually before a meeting or Grand Entry at Jiingtamok. Sometimes pipe carriers and elders recommend that this ceremony should be done if things get out of hand at the workplace or at home. The sacred medicine is lit, and some use matches instead of a lighter. Some actually use wood from a sacred fire. The smoke from the sacred medicine purifies the mind, body and spirit. The inside of rooms, especially motel rooms, should be smudged. Some people smudge when they hear bad news, such as a death or illness. Most people who smudge use a shell as a container, and usually eagle feathers are used to fan the medicines. If a person does not have eagle feathers, then other feathers are used, such as hawk feathers. The ashes that are left should not be thrown away, but scattered by the entrance at the door to symbolize that bad thoughts, words and feelings are not welcome inside.

**The Four Sacred Medicines- Kchitwaa Mshkiki

Sema (tobacco) is used mainly for prayers and offerings of gifts. It is used as an offering in a sacred fire or as an offering in a prayer bundle. Its main use is for the pipe ceremony. It is a sacred medicine that was given to the first man, Nanabozo. He used it to speak to the Creator, and that tradition is still practiced today. Sema represents the eastern direction, the first part of the day, the first season (spring), the first stage of one’s life, the first aspect of life (the mind), the first clan (the eagle), and the Oriental race.

Kiishig (cedar) is another sacred medicine that has many uses. It can be used as a tea or used in a bath, especially with women who are with child, to nurture and purify their bodies. In the sweat lodge ceremony, kiishig is used to purify the area. Some Anishinaabek place kiishig in their shoes so that good things will greet them in their travels. The cedar tree has many medicinal qualities from the roots, bark, branches and sap. It is said that the cedar tree was the first tree to be created. Kiishig represents the southern direction, the middle part of the day, the second season (summer), the second stage of life (youth), the second aspect of life (the body), the second clan (the deer), and the Anishinaabe nation.

Mshkwadewashk (sage) is very common to the Anishinaabek. It has been said that it almost became extinct in this area at one time, but that because of the belief the Anishinaabek have in the power of sema, it is coming back. At times, the only place that it was found was in the western direction. Some place sage at doorways for protection from evil. It has been taught that a person should chew a few sage leaves before an important speech or presentation. Mshkwadewashk represents the western direction, the evening or setting sun, the third season (autumn), the adult stage of life, the third aspect of life (emotions), the buffalo clan, and the black race.

Wiingash (sweetgrass) was plentiful in Michigan and Ontario at one time. Due to over-building and farmlands, the natural areas where wiingash grew are diminishing. Wiingash is the first plant that our Creator created, and it represents the hair of Shkakaamik kwe (Mother Earth). It is a very powerful purifier. Some Anishinaabek wear wiingash in their hair to get rid of headaches or bad thoughts; others just lay it on their forehead. Wiingash represents the northern direction, the last part of the day (the night), the last season (winter), the last stage of life (the elder), the fourth aspect of life (the spirit), the bear clan, and the white race of man.

Sage: Is seen as a women's medicine, and offers strength, wisdom, and clarity of purpose. It is used to symbolize the life-giving power of women. Sage is often braided into three strands, similar to Sweetgrass, and hung within one's home. It may be tied with a ribbon in one of the colors of the medicine wheel: Red, yellow, black, white or green.

Cedar: Is used for purification and to attract positive energy, feelings, emotions and for balance. Cedar tea has been used as a healing medicine. It's high vitamin C content was essential to the prevention of scurvy, in a time when fruits and vegetables were unavailable during the long winter months. It was one of the first gifts of natural healing shared with the European peoples upon their arrival to Turtle Island (North America).

Sweetgrass: Is used by almost all Aboriginal peoples in North America. It is a ritual cleansing. The smoke rises, as our prayers rise above us to our Creator, the Grandfathers, and the Spirit World.

    Sweetgrass was one of the four original "medicine plants" given by the Creator to the first peoples. The others being Tobacco, Cedar, and Sage.

    We cleanse our eyes so that they will see the truth around us, the beauty of our Mother, the Earth, the gifts given us by our Creator, the love shared with us through our families, friends and communities.

    We cleanse our mouth, that all we speak will be truthful, said in a way that will empower the positive, only good things, always full of words of praise and thanksgiving for our Creator.

    We cleanse our ears, so that our ears will hear the spiritual truths given us by our Creator, listen to the truth as it is shared with us by the Creator, the Grandfathers, Four Directions, Four Kingdoms, and be open to the request for assistance from others, to hear only the good things and allow the bad to 'bounce off'.

    We cleanse our hearts so that our hearts will feel the truth, grow with us in harmony and balance, be good and pure, be open to show compassion, gentleness and caring for others.

    We cleanse our feet so that our feet will seek to walk the true path, seek balance and harmony, lead us closer to our families, friends, community, walk closer to our loved ones and help us flee our enemies, and lead us closer to our Creator.

In some places, it is the custom to exclude a pregnant women so that all her energies may be directed towards nurturing the new life within her. In others, she must participate, as her strength is shared and multiplied by the new life within her. If in doubt, seek out the Elder and ask for direction.

    In some places, a woman on her moon time (menstrual time) is asked to remain outside the circle during any ceremony. In others she may sit inside but not partake of the Sweetgrass. Again, seek out an Elder and ask for guidance.

    The author's grandmother's simplest explanation of Sweetgrass was that it chased away all the negative energy, feelings and emotions, and left a well, or open space, into which happiness can enter.

    The lesson Sweetgrass teaches us is kindness. When Sweetgrass is walked upon, it bends, but does not break. So one of the lessons of Sweetgrass is that when someone does us an injustice or hurts us, we are to return it with kindness, as does the Sweetgrass, by bending, not breaking when it is walked upon. It is often referred to as the hair of our Mother, the Earth.

    It is not customary to purchase it. One goes out and picks it during August. If this is impossible for whatever reason, one may ask to exchange gifts with someone who has a supply. If both these are impossible, and the need is great, it is acceptable to purchase some for a friend or spouse, and exchange, with each one using the other's. Medicines are supposed to come to you when you are ready to use them in the right way.

    A woman on her time may not pick Sweetgrass. It is customary to remove any metal, rings, watches, glasses, etc. (except those which cannot be physically removed), prior to the use of any smudge. Metal is man-made, and seen to hold negative energy. Some people choose to smudge these objects on a regular basis to remove any residual energy.

    Tobacco: Is held as a scared plant by all Native North American people. It is believed that Tobacco opens the door between the Worlds of Earth and Spirit and used in many ways by Aboriginal peoples all over Turtle Island.

    If tobacco is offered and accepted, and a request made of the person accepting it, that promise is sacred. It is a commitment or promise not only between the people involved, but with our Creator and the Grandfathers of the Spirit World. It must be honored.

    Tobacco may be carried around and used as a means of thanking our Creator for his gifts. For example, if you enjoyed a sunset, rainbow, good weather, you might leave some Tobacco on the ground, and say thank you for the gift. If you take a gift, gather Sweetgrass, Cedar, Sage, birchbark, stones, herbs, you might leave Tobacco in the ground to honor the gift you are taking, returning energy and prayer to our Mother, the Earth, and thanks to the Creator.

    Tobacco need not be smoked. In fact, it should be smoked only by certain people on specific occasions, for example, pipe carriers during ceremonies.

Tobacco, or any smudge, may be burned in an earthen-ware bowl, large clam shell, in a fire or fireplace or other object during periods of prayer and meditation. As the smoke rises, so do our prayers rise to the Spirit World and the Creator.

    Women on their moon do not use, carry or touch Tobacco, or any other medicine plant or herb. One exception is women's Sage, which may be used by all.

Sweetgrass: Sweetgrass represents the North and the hair of mother earth. The three fold braid represents the mind, body and spirit. It has the power to call in positive energies, and carries within it deep wisdom of the earth. It provides clarity to the mind and purifies. Sweetgrass creates a sacred place for the spirits to listen, and provide blessings, safety, and protection.

Tobacco: Tobacco represents the east. It is a sacred herb used for cleansing and healing, when it is not abused. Tobacco connects people with the spirit worlds, and absorbs their prayers and carries their prayers to the spirit world. It chases away feelings that are bad and negative, and brings on thoughts that are good and positive.

Cedar: Cedar represents the south. It is used to waft smoke in ceremonies and ward away sickness, or clear the air after illness.

Sage: Sage represents the west. It is the traditional choice of herb to use for smudging as it is believed to be the most powerful, purifying medicine capable of driving away negative energies that afflict the aura, mind, body, and soul. It is used to establish a sacred boundary at the beginning of rituals and ceremonies.

    The process of smudging involves burning one or more of these medicines, using the smoke produced to cleanse the mind, body and spirit. There is no uniform way to smudge. Different nations in different geographical regions may perform the process differently. However there are common similarities: something is need to burn the medicines in, a ceramic bowl or abalone shell which helps balance the four elements in the ceremony by adding the element of water. The medicines represent the earth element. When the medicines are light, the fire created represents the element of fire. A feather is used to maintain a sufficient stream of smoke (element of wind)

References
1) Culloty, Sean Smudging and Native American Spirituality internet
2) Renault, Dennis & Freke, Timothy Principle of Native American Spirituality Thorson publishing Ancient Art of Smudging, Internet

The Smudging Ceremony
By Adrienne Borden and Steve Coyote

    Our Native elders have taught us that before a person can be healed or heal another, one must be cleansed of any bad feelings, negative thoughts, bad spirits or negative energy - cleansed both physically and spiritually. This helps the healing to come through in a clear way, without being distorted or sidetracked by negative "stuff" in either the healer or the client. The elders say that all ceremonies, tribal or private, must be entered into with a good heart so that we can pray, sing, and walk in a sacred manner, and be helped by the spirits to enter the sacred realm.

    Native people throughout the world use herbs to accomplish this. One common ceremony is to burn certain herbs, take the smoke in one's hands and rub or brush it over the body. Today this is commonly called "smudging." In Western North America the three plants most frequently used in smudging are sage, cedar, and sweetgrass.

Sage
There are many varieties of sage, and most have been used in smudging. The botanical name for "true" sage is Salvia (e.g. Salvia officinalis, Garden Sage, or Salvia apiana, White Sage). It is interesting to note that Salvia comes from the Latin root salvare, which means "to heal." There are also varieties of sage which are of a species separate from Salvin Artemusia. Included here are sagebrush (e.g. Artemisia californica) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). We have seen both Salvia and Artemisia sub-species used in smudging.

Sage is burned in smudging ceremonies to drive out bad spirits, feelings, or influences, and also to keep bad spirits from entering the area where a ceremony takes place. In Plains nations, the floor of the sweat lodge is frequently covered with sage, and participants rub the leaves on their bodies while in the sweat. Sage is also commonly spread on the ground in a lodge or on an altar where the pipe touches the earth. Some nations wrap their pipes in sage when they are placed in pipe-bundles, as sage purifies objects wrapped in it. Sage wreaths are also placed around the head and wrists of Sundancers.

Cedar
There is some potential confusion here about the terms used to name plants, mainly because in some areas, junipers are known as "cedar" - as in the case of Desert White Cedar (Juniperus monosperina). This doesn't mean that J. monosperina wasn't used as a cleansing herb, though; in the Eastern U.S., its relative, Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginia), was used ceremonially. However, in the smudging ceremonies we have seen or conducted ourselves, Western Red Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and California Cedar Incense (Libocedrus descurrens) were used ... not varieties of juniper.

Cedar is burned while praying either aloud or silently. The prayers rise on the cedar smoke and are carried to the Creator. Cedar is also spread along with sage on the floor of the sweat lodges of some tribes. Cedar branches are brushed in the air to cleanse a home during the House Blessing Ceremony of many Northwest Indian nations. In the Pacific Northwest, the people burn cedar for purification in much the same way as sage - it drives out negative energy; but it also brings in good influences. The spirit of cedar is considered very ancient and wise by Pacific Northwest tribes, and old, downed cedar trees are honored with offerings and prayers.

Sweetgrass
One of the most sacred plants for the Plains Indians, sweetgrass is a tall wild grass with a reddish bas and perfume-like, musty odor. It grows mainly on the eastern side of the Rockies in Montana and adjacent Alberta, Canada. It also shows up in some small areas of Wyoming and South Dakota. Its botanical name is Hierochloe odorata. Some common names for it are Seneca grass, holy grass and vanilla grass. We have been told that a variety of vanilla grass grows in North Central California. But, how similar it is to the Plains variety we don't know.

On the Plains, sweetgrass is usually braided together in bunches as a person's hair is braided, although friends have said they have seen it simply bunched and wrapped in cloth. Either way, it is usually burned by shaving little bits over hot coals or lighting the end and waving it around, letting the smoke spread through the air. This latter method is how we were taught to burn sweetgrass in the sweat lodge - allowing the purifying smoke to get to all parts of the lodge.

We were taught that it was good to burn sweetgrass after the sage or cedar had driven out the bad influences. Sweetgrass brings in the good spirits and the good influences. As with cedar, burning sweetgrass while praying sends prayers up to the Creator in the smoke. High Hollow Horn says in the The Sacred Pipe "This smoke from the sweetgrass will rise up to you, and will spread throughout the universe. Its fragrance will be known by the wingeds, the four-leggeds, and the two leggeds, for we understand that we are all relatives; may all our brothers be tame and not fear us!" Sweetgrass is also put in pipe bundles and medicine bundles along with sage to purify and protect sacred objects.

Sweetgrass is very rare today, its territory severely cut by development, cattle-grazing, and wheat fields - and tradition Indians in the northern Plains are trying to protect the last remaining fields. The best way for most folks to get sweetgrass is to buy it at Native American retail outlets. This gives support to Indians who can help the fields from being depleted.

Smudging
    To do a smudging ceremony, burn the clippings of these herbs (dried), rub your hands in the smoke, and then gather the smoke and bring it into your body, or - rub it onto yourself; especially onto any area you feel needs spiritual healing. Keep praying all the while that the unseen powers of the plant will cleanse your spirit. Sometimes, one person will smudge another, or a group of people, using hands - or more often a feather - to lightly brush the smoke over the other person(s). We were taught to look for dark spots in a person's spirit-body. As one California Indian woman told us, she "sees" a person's spirit-body glowing around them, and where there are "dark or foggy parts," she brushes the smoke into these "holes in their spirit-body." This helps to heal the spirit and to "close up" these holes.

    Recently we did a "light" house cleansing for a friend. We use the term "light", for this is a relatively simple ceremony as opposed to some that are more lengthy and complicated. Our friend had some serious emotional and relationship problems, and he felt they had left a heavy and dark atmosphere. First, we prayed together to the Creator and to the spirits for help. We then, burned sage, purified ourselves, and took the sage to all the corners, closets, and rooms of the house. We pushed the smoke with our hands to cleanse every bit of space - lingering over dark or cold spots that "felt" uncomfortable.

    We used sage first in order to drive out the bad influences. Then we purified ourselves with cedar and, then repeated the cleansing process throughout the house with that. Then sweetgrass was used in the same manner to bring in good influences. All the time we prayed for help in this cleansing. Finally, we took a candle over the whole house and pushed its light into every corner. The People of the Pacific Northwest Coast taught this "lighting-up" of a house to us. We've been doing this type of house cleansing for ten years, and it never fails to "clear the air."

    One more note about smudging. It is very popular among many novices to use abalone shells in smudging. There are many Native elders who are pleased to see so many new folds smudging themselves, but - some are concerned that abalone shells are being used when burning the herbs. On the Pacific Northwest Coast, for example, some holy men have said that abalone shells represent Grandmother Ocean, and that they should be used in ceremonies with water, not burning.

    We know enough Native elders in the Northwest, the Plains, and California who don't use abalone shells - but instead clay or stone bowls - that we don't personally feel comfortable using a shell.

    In any case, smudging is a ceremony that must be done with care. We are entering into a relationship with the unseen powers of these plants, and with the spirits of the ceremony. As with all good relationships, there has to be respect and honor if the relationship is to work.

--Adrienne Borden is of Chippewa heritage, and Steve Coyote is of Cheyenne background.

Smudging
Marshall Lowen

    Smudging is one of the very important components of our traditional hunting customs and culture. The practice of smudging is a ceremonial tradition that has been handed down to us through the ages from many different cultures and religions. Our early ancestors discovered the powerful energies of working with the smoke from burning various plants and grasses. The sense of smell is a very primitive part of our awareness. It connects us to a deep, instinctual part of the brain. Certain scents and odors have the power to modify our energies, and to trigger emotions and memories. The smudging ceremony as practiced by Aboriginal people, adds to our native culture a dimension of ritual and respect for all the diverse parts of Creation.

    The main purpose of smudging is to cleanse or protect yourself, your objects and/or a place. It can be done before other ceremonies or by itself. In addition to being a spiritual ritual it also has practical applications for a hunter. The smoke from the smudge will mask the hunters’ scent and also acts as an insect repellant. According to what we have been taught, certain members of the plant kingdom have entered into a sacred agreement with us “Two-Leggeds”. In exchange for our respectful treatment of plants as a living part of our world, they will give up their lives so that we can have the benefits of their purifying smoke to cleanse us and to carry our prayers. This allows us to stay in balance and keep our walk through life sacred. We are to pick the plants with honour, asking permission and giving thanks. We are only to take what we need and are not to damage the plant.

    Many different herbs and plants are commonly used for smudging. They all have their individual traditional uses and characteristics. They can be used individually or by themselves. I would suggest to you that you first try them one at a time to better acquaint yourself with unique powers of each one. I was taught that to begin smudging, you would need a container such as a bowl or shell to burn the plant material in. Some people use an abalone or other seashell. These shells, being a gift from the lakes and oceans, help to call in the element of “Water” from which all life on earth begins. This helps to balance the four elements in the smudging ceremony. Most people use matches to light the fire. A feather or fan is used to fan the flames. The feather is to acknowledge the “Winged Ones” who dwell in the sky and to call in the element of “Air”.

    I have been taught to perform the smudging ceremony in the following manner, which I will share with you. You are free to use it, or you may choose to learn another method or to create a way that feels right to you. There is no right or wrong way, only basic rules that most people follow.

    Place the shell in front of you and thank it, aloud or silently, for the life that created it and for it helping you in this ceremony. Place the smudging material that you will be using in the shell, thanking each plant for providing the ingredient. They have died so that you could make this sacred smoke. You should express “gratitude” not “guilt” in your prayer for their sacrifice. One day you will give up your body for the other beings of the world.

    Next, light the smudge mix. As the flame grows, thank Father Sun, from where all fires originate. Thank the spirit of fire for helping you with this ceremony. Make sure each plant in the shell has caught fire. This way, the resulting smoke will contain all the energies you have chosen to work with. Fan the fire gently with your feather until all the material is burning enough to create sufficient smoke. Then use the feather to put out the flames, with one or two quick passes. If the smudge looks like it is going to go out, fan it vigorously until it is smoking again. If it does go out, it is alright to relight it.

    If you are wearing any metal objects such as rings, watches glasses or other metal jewelry, take them off and set them to the side. Now, using both your hands as a cup, catch some smoke and bring it up to your heart. Catch more smoke and pass it over your head and down your neck. Then using each hand, one at a time, pass the smoke along your opposite arm and hand. Then using both hands, bring more smoke into your navel and down your legs to the ground. This process cleanses our hearts, minds and bodies and helps us to remain grounded. While doing this, we see the smoke carry away our cares and mental & physical injuries.

    You can now smudge any objects you want, such as your medicine pouch or other items by passing them through the smoke from the four directions, starting with the east. Ask that the object be cleaned for either your use or for a giveaway. If you are smudging with other people, smudge yourself first and as you are “pure” you can then hold the shell by the edges for others to smudge. You can also smudge a house or room that needs cleansing. Go around the room with the burning smudge, and using the feather, you can push any negative energy out through an open door or window.

    When you are done, let the ashes cool and return them with respect to the soil. This is the element of “Earth”. New life arises out of the soil, enriched by the nutrients provided by the ashes. As you empty the ashes thank the plants and the fire for their assistance in this ceremony.

    Many people smudge before any other ceremony, to start the day, to begin a hunt, or before and after a serious discussion. For us, this is a very important and real ceremony. Afterwards, we feel better, our energy feels stronger, and the day goes better for us. It is good to smudge our houses on occasion to clear out any negative energy. You should understand that the smudging ceremony is the sacred intent of the “Two Leggeds” to open the doors to the many powers available to work with us to become better individuals.

Sage: Has the power to drive away negative energies.

Sweetgrass: Has the power to call in positive energies

Tobacco: Has the power to absorb our prayers and carry them to the Creator

Cedar: Has the power to protect us from negative energies.

Aho, mitakuye oyasin (It is good, all my relations)

Sage was burned to drive out bad spirits and bad feelings. It kept bad spirits from entering the ceremonial place. Sometimes the floor of the sweat lodge was covered with sage. People in the sweat lodge also rubbed their bodies with sage.

Cedar was burned while praying. The prayers rose to the Creator on the smoke. Cedar was also spread on the floor of the sweat lodges of some tribes.

Sweetgrass was a tall wild grass with a musty odor. It was braided together. One end was lit and it was waved around letting the smoke spread. Sweetgrass brought the good spirits and the smoke took the prayers up to the Creator.

    Sweetgrass and sage were put in pipe bundles and medicine bundles to protect and purify the sacred objects.

Smudging
Itwaywin - Traditional Feast Ceremony by Lorne Carrier

    Smudging refers to burning specific plants, and using the smoke that rises from the plants to spiritually cleanse oneself and/or a space (such as a building, or room or area where a ceremony is held). The plants most commonly used in Saskatchewan are:

• sage
• sweetgrass
• cedar
• willow fungus

    These may be used individually, or combined. It is not necessary to breathe in the smoke when smudging. The smudge is meant to be washed over your body. The process for smudging is, generally, the smudge is lit and carried around by an Elder’s Helper (oskapewis in Cree), in a clock-wise direction.

    Participants should remove eye-glasses (and other adornments, rings, necklaces bracelets in some cases) prior to smudging. When the smudge comes to you, use your hands to “wash” in the rising smoke, carrying the smoke over your head, your arms, chest, etc.

    The smudge is meant to clear negativity; individuals should be offering silent prayers or words for positive guidance as well as respecting and honouring the sacredness of the plants who provide the smudge.

    Women on their monthly cycle must not attend smudging with sweetgrass, nor should they touch sweetgrass. Smudging with sage, cedar or willow fungus may be done by women on their monthly cycle.

    The circle remains closed until everyone has finished smudging and the oskapewis has taken the smudge back to the centre.

    Smudge bowls are typically made of abalone shells, and the smoke may be fanned with an eagle feather or other feather.

MAKING A SMUDGE STICK
Jane Alexander

    Although smudge sticks are now readily available from shops, you can easily make your own. Making your own smudge allows you to make a deeper connection with the spirits of the sacred plants used in smudge - and so can make your rituals and ceremonies even more meaningful.

YOU WILL NEED: A selection of your chosen herbs; colored cottons (embroidery threads work well); a little tobacco or cornmeal; candle and matches.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. You really need to be able to pick your plants, or at least the mainstay of your smudge stick, fresh from the wild. It is unusual to find the length of herb needed from shops - and dried herbs will flare too easily. However you can combine fresh and dried herbs if necessary.

2. If you are picking your herbs from the wild (or your garden) ideally you should gather them as they come into bloom during a waxing moon. Approach the plant with respect and ask its spirit for its permission to be used in your smudge. When you feel it is right, cut the plant with a sharp knife (you will need pieces around eight to twelve inches long). Only take what you need and give a pinch of cornmeal or tobacco with your thanks.

3. Gather your materials together. Light the candle and quietly center yourself, asking the spirits of the plants you have gathered to help you make a powerful smudge stick.

4. Take a sturdy stick as a base. Arrange the other stems around it. If you are using a combination of fresh and dried herbs, keep the dried, more fragile herbs on the inside.

5. Take a piece of cotton or hide and tie it around the stick, starting at the bottom. If you want to add dried herbs which are powdered or crushed, you can add these on the inside of the smudge stick as you start to bind the bundle.

6. Tie your smudge stick quite firmly - the cotton should reach about half way up the length of the stick.

7. Now hang your smudge stick up by its bottom end (the tied end) somewhere warm and dry until the plants are almost dry - but not totally moisture-free.

The Lakota also make bracelets for the Sun Dance from white sage (Rogers 1980).

The Cheyenne use the white sage in their Sun Dance and Standing Against Thunder ceremonies (Hart 1976).

Other tribes who used white sage include the Arapaho, Comanche, Gros Ventre, Creek, Navaho, Tewa, and Ute (Nickerson 1966, Carlson and Jones 1939, Hart 1976, Thwaites 1905, Denig 1855, Elmore 1944, Robbins et al. 1916, Chamberlin 1909).

The Dakota and other tribes used white sage tea for stomach troubles and many other ailments (Gilmore 1977).

The Cheyenne used the crushed leaves as snuff for sinus attacks, nosebleeds, and headaches (Hart 1976).

The Crow made a salve for use on sores by mixing white sage with neck-muscle fat (probably from buffalo) (Hart 1976). They used a strong tea as an astringent for eczema and as a deodorant and an antiperspirant for underarms and feet.

The Kiowa made a bitter drink from white sage, which they used to reduce phlegm and to relieve a variety of lung and stomach complaints (Vestal and Shultes 1939). Usually, they chewed the stem and leaves and swallowed the juice.

The Kiowa-Apaches used a thin, sharp-pointed section of the stem as a moxa to relieve headaches or other pain (Jordan 1965). The Chinese also use an Artemisia species as a moxa to relieve pain such as arthritis.

The Kiowa also used an infusion of white sage plants for the lungs, to cut phlegm, and for stomach trouble.

The Mesquakie used the leaves as a poultice to “cure sores of long standing” (Smith 1928). They also made a tea of the leaves to treat tonsillitis and sore throat and a smudge of the leaves to drive away mosquitoes.

The Omaha used the leaves in a tea for bathing and used the powdered leaves to stop nosebleeds (Gilmore 1913).

Both the Pawnee and the Bannock women drank Artemisia ludoviciana tea during their moon time, or menstrual periods (Dunbar 1880). During the time that women lived away from their lodges in a menstrual hut, they drank the bitter tea made from either the leaves of white sage or the root of A. frigida (Gilmore 1930).

The Blackfeet use the white sage in sweat-lodge rituals and as an ingredient in a stream vapor inhaled for respiratory problems. The “Giver of Breath” heals the ability to breathe with this powerful plant medicine.

According to Moerman (1986) Artemisia ludoviciana was used for the following:

• The Fox used a poultice of leaves to heal old sores, a burning smudge to drive away mosquitoes and to “smoke ponies when they have the distemper”, and an infusion of leaves to heal tonsillitis and sore throats.

• The Omaha used the leaves as a bath for fevers and to prevent nosebleeds.

• The Paiute used a decoction of the plant as a soaking bath to relieve aching feet, to heal stomachaches, as a poultice for rheumatism or other aches, as a poultice or compress for headaches, to stop diarrhea, in a sweatbath for rheumatism, and to relieve the itching and discomfort of rashes and skin eruptions.

• The Shoshone took white sage for colds, coughs, headaches, stomachaches, as a compress for fevers, to stop diarrhea, as a physic, as a regulator of menstrual disorders, and for influenza.

• The Washoe used white sage as a cooling, aromatic wash for headaches, colds, and coughs.

REFERENCES
Carlson, G.G. & V.H. Jones 1939. Some notes on use of plants by the Comanche Indians. Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters 25:517-543.

Chamberlin, R.V. 1909. Some plant names of the Ute Indians. American Anthropologist 11:27-40.

Denig, E.T. 1855. An account of medicine and surgery as it exists among the Creek Indians. St. Louis Medicinal and Surgical Journal 13:312-318.

Densmore, F. 1974. How Indians use wild plants for food, medicine, and crafts. Dover Publications, Inc., New York, New York. 397 pp.

Dunbar, J.D. 1880. The Pawnee Indians. Magazine of American History 5(5):321-326.

Elmore, F.H. 1944. Ethnobotany of the Navajo. University of New Mexico, Monographs of the School of American Research. Number 8.

Gilmore, M. 1913a. A study in the Ethnobotany of the Omaha Indians. Nebraska State Historical Society 17:314-357.

Gilmore, M. 1913b. Some native Nebraska plants with their uses by the Dakota. Nebraska State Historical Society Proceedings and Collections 17:358-370.

Gilmore, M. 1913c. The aboriginal geography of the Nebraska Country. Mississippi Valley Historical Association Proceedings 6:317-331.

Gilmore, M.R. 1977 (1919). Uses of plants by the Indians of the Missouri River region. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln Nebraska. Reprint of a work first published as the 33rd Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology. Washington, D.C.

Hart, J. A. 1976. Montana native plants and early peoples. Montana Historical Society, Helena, Montana.

Jordan, J. A. 1965. Ethnobotany of the Kiowa-Apache. Master’s Thesis, University of Oklahoma.

Kindscher, K. 1992. Medicinal wild plants of the prairie. An ethnobotanical guide. University Press of Kansas. 340 pp.

Kindscher, K. 1987. Edible wild plants of the prairie. University Press of Kansas. 276 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1986. Medicinal plants of Native American. Research Reports in Ethnobotany, Contribution 2, University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology Technical Reports, Number 19. 534 pp.

Nickerson, G.S. 1966. Some data on plains and great basin Indian uses of certain native plants. Tebiwa 9.1: 45-47.

Robbins, W., J.P. Harrington, & B. Freire-Marreco 1916. Ethnobotany of the Tewa. Bulletin 5. Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology. Washington, D.C.

Smith, H.H. 1928. Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki Indians. Bulletin of the Ojibwa Indians. Bulletin of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee 4(3):327-325.

Thwaites, R.G. (ed.) 1904. Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. 6 Vols. Dodd, Mead, and Company, New York, New York.

Vestal, P.A. & R.E. Schultes 1939. The economic botany of the Kiowa Indians. Botanical Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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