Accessible Smudging in Prairie Mountain Health

Items that are included in a smudge bundle. Tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass, smudge bowl, matches — Each bundle contains the four medicines — tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass — along with a smudge bowl (shell), matches, and a container for safely storing ashes until they can be properly offered. The bundle also includes a set of flip cards that provide information about the medicines and their uses, a smudge prayer, guidance on smudging practices (while recognizing that practices may vary), the importance of smudging, and instructions for replenishing the bundle contents. Before printing, the flip cards were reviewed by Elders to ensure the information and materials were appropriate for their intended purpose.

Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) has been working on an initiative to ensure that smudging within PMH facilities is recognized and accessible. A Smudging Ceremony Policy is in place to guide staff in supporting clients and families who wish to smudge during their stay at a PMH facility. Many facilities have designated areas where smudging can take place, as ventilation requirements must be considered. In newer PMH facilities, the ability to accommodate smudging has been incorporated into the design, with access available in many patient rooms.

Prairie Mountain Health Indigenous Health has created 27 smudge bundles for use in acute care facilities. These bundles are available for patients who wish to smudge while in hospital. Individuals interested in smudging while staying at a PMH facility can ask staff, such as their nurse, for a referral to an Indigenous Health Patient Advocate, who can help arrange a smudge ceremony.

Awareness of smudging availability within PMH facilities has been promoted through Patient Advocate visits, during which clients are informed about the option to smudge. Posters have also been created and displayed throughout facilities for public awareness. In addition, smudging in PMH facilities is discussed at Services to Services meetings with First Nation communities so attendees can share this information with others in their communities.

Requests for smudging are most often directed to Patient Advocates or Spiritual Care staff within the facilities. Patient Advocates also receive referrals from PMH staff through the Indigenous Health email when a client requests access to smudging. Smudge bundles are easily accessible in many facilities so staff, clients, and family members can use them when needed.

Currently, Indigenous Health is preparing an additional 20 smudge bundles for distribution to several Long-Term Living facilities. While not all facilities currently have a bundle available, the goal is to provide at least one bundle in every PMH facility to reduce barriers to accessing smudging ceremonies for clients and their families.

Attached is a photo of a smudge bundle. Each bundle contains the four medicines — tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass — along with a smudge bowl (shell), matches, and a container for safely storing ashes until they can be properly offered. The bundle also includes a set of flip cards that provide information about the medicines and their uses, a smudge prayer, guidance on smudging practices (while recognizing that practices may vary), the importance of smudging, and instructions for replenishing the bundle contents. Before printing, the flip cards were reviewed by Elders to ensure the information and materials were appropriate for their intended purpose.