8 NOVEMBER 1, 2002
Smoke Signals
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Traditional practices conflict with those in frail health and insurance requirements.
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By Ron Karten
Perhaps it was inevitable that the tradi
tional practice of smudging would come
into conflict with more modern smoking
codes in buildings. And perhaps even more in
evitable that in a health facility, the smoke from
smudging would irritate patients with heart and
lung problems.
Dealing with this conflict was "one of the big
priorities in the planning process" for the Health
& Wellness Center, which just turned five years
old, according to Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle
Kennedy. "A lot of time was devoted to (finding
ways to accommodate) cultural practices, includ
ing smudging," she said.
Current Tribal regula
tions dictate that "we DO
NOT allow smoke or smok
ing of any kind in our
Tribal facilities," accord
ing to a recent email
broadcast throughout the
Tribes' system from Mike
Larsen, Facilities and Maintenance manager.
"This is for safety and health purposes. It is
especially important that it does not happen in
the Health & Wellness Center, due to health
conditions of some of our patients."
And in fact, according to Larsen, there have
been complaints about the smoke from smudg
ing by patients of the Health & Wellness Cen
ter. Afterward, Larsen said, "I think smudging
touches a lot of people and I've enjoyed it, but
I've got to uphold policies."
At the Health & Wellness Center, staff ac
knowledge that smudging is practiced, and in
fact, in email exchanges on the subject, Dr. Jo
seph Stone, director of the Behavioral Health
unit, reported, "Of course this is a traditional
spiritual and culturally appropriate practice.
Furthermore, I think it is important to offer to
clients who request it. Making the counseling
environment a sacred space."
"I don't have a problem with it," said Bobby
Mercier, a language specialist with the Cul
tural Resources department, and a
member of the committee look
ing into the practice. "It
keeps the Tribe aligned
with age old cultural
practices." 0
But for Tyson
Mercier, a Mainte- '
nance Techni-
cian in tne
Wellness facil
ity, buildings
are not the
right places to
smudge. "I'd
say don't do it in
the buildings. An
air quality special
ist told me that it's
the same as smoking in
the building. There are car
cinogens in the smoke and people
would be affected by it.
"I think if they want to take it outside,
that would be great. We have to think of
our Tribal Elders and our patrons who come
down to the facilities."
Likewise, June Sell
Sherer, Tribal Council
Secretary, said, "It's prob
ably a health issue, and
we've got to put that as a
priority."
It seems fairly well
known that whatever the
rules, people do smudge in offices throughout
the Tribe's buildings. One source said, "I
wouldn't come into the office until it was
smudged down."
"That's the way we've been taught. That's the
way we've been raised," said Bobby Mercier.
"And to be here and not be who we are. These
are our buildings."
Three important issues arise in this discussion,
according to Connie Holmes, Acting Human
Resources Manager, who has organized a com
mittee to make recommendations to the Tribal
Council. "Religious freedom, respecting others
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What is smudging?
"First you must smudge yourself and be
cleansed from bad thoughts, or negative energy
and be cleansed both the physical and spiritual.
This helps the healing come through in a clear
way, without being distorted or sidetracked by
negative things. When we do this we have good
heart, so we can sing, pray, and walk in a sa
cred manner and be helped by the spirits to the
sacred realm. At home, or workplace or out in
nature, Natives believe that it's our tradition to
practice this ritual as much as possible."
-Vernon Kennedy
Burns Paiute Tribal member
affected by it, and if a fire started, our insur
ance company would not cover it."
As Cheryle Kennedy remembers initial discus-
Smoke The burning of herbs or incense, called "smudging," is a
sacred practice held in common by many Native Americans. Sage, sweet
grass or cedar are burned to purify one's self or surroundings. It is also
used in prayers and ceremonies. This particular smudge pot (shell) has
been used by a Tribal Elder to smudge down the Public Information
Office on significant occasions.
Photo by Peta Tinda
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sions about the practice, before the Health &
Wellness Center was built, an informal decision
was made to allow smudging with "the window
open and door closed. It was primarily concerned
with Behavioral Health & Wellness (for folks)
who would need it."
That's how Patti Tom-Martin, Manager of the
Vocational Rehabilitation section in the Wellness
Center remembers
it, too. "Only now,
sometimes,
there's so
j'j1 much smoke
tnat it
V comes
' f all the
i way down
tne nan.
"It goes to
common sense,
said Reyn Leno,
Vice Chair of the
Tribal Council. "Voc re
hab does it (sensibly), and
then there's those that go to
extremes."
"How big is your smudge?" asked
Tribal Elder Claudette Parazoo. "I
used to see a shell and it was not a
huge thing."
"At functions," Leno
added, "people have op
tions to come and go, but
my father has lung
problems and he
couldn't go (to the
Wellness Center
when smudging was
taking place)."
"Smudging don't
make me an In
dian," he said.
"It could put us at
: p j nan. ii nuiiie iviiiu ui m-
d:Sy cident occurred because
' ' ' sy of the smudging," said
Deborah Larsen, Risk Man
ager for the Tribe. "I feel that
smudging is sacred," she added, "but
from 8-5, 1 have to think of it as a risk man
ager." She notes that fire is not the only risk.
If the smoke sets off the sprinkler system, that
also can cause damage. She also recommends
an area outside be designated for anybody who
wants to smudge.
Perri McDaniel, a Cultural Protection Special
ist, said that compartmentalizing cultural heri
tage is not the Indian way.
Some compartmentalizing may be inevitable,
however. As Tyson Mercier said, "The smoke
from smudging is supposed to go to the gods,
not the ceiling tiles."
The new policy is due in a matter of weeks.
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