Participants of the smudge kit workshop.
Submitted by Andrea Jibb, CRMC Community Outreach Coordinator
On October 24, 2015, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Credit River Métis Council (CRMC) hosted a Four Medicines and smudge kit workshop at the Council’ office in Brampton.
Co-facilitated by MNO CRMC President Karen Derocher and Treasurer Darlene Lent, this free workshop was designed to offer participants an introduction to traditional indigenous medicines and the opportunity to create their very own smudge kits.
Derocher shared traditional knowledge about the four sacred medicines (sage, sweetgrass, tobacco and cedar) and Lent provided additional knowledge about other medicinal plants such as rosehips and cattails. Participants then assembled their own smudge kits and shared in an outdoor smudge birthing ceremony.
Afterward, everyone shared in a delicious pot luck lunch that included traditional fare such as cranberry wild rice. Donations were collected to support the MNO Veterans’ Council’s Vimy Ridge Project.
The Four Medicines and smudge kit workshop is one of many public events hosted by the MNO CRMC with the help of an Ontario Trillium Fund grant to promote Métis culture and way of life. The workshop was also generously supported by MNO Healing and Wellness staff.
Published on: March 30, 2016