Piluwitahasuwin

Smudging

What is smudging?

Smudging is a sacred ceremony deeply rooted in many First Nation cultures for spiritually purifying and cleansing oneself or a space. There is no one “right way” to smudge. Here are common practices.

Smudging involves burning culturally significant medicines, which are sage, cedar, sweetgrass and tobacco. Each element of the ceremony holds profound symbolic meaning:

  • The shell: Represents water, the first element of life, holding the smudge.
  • Four sacred medicines: Tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass represent the earth, the second element of life, each carrying its spiritual significance.
  • Fire: Produced by lighting the medicines, symbolizing the third element, fire and its transformative power.
  • Smoke: Represents air, the fourth element of life, carrying prayers and intentions as it rises.

Smudging-friendly locations

Our smudge-friendly rooms are approved places for practicing this culturally sacred ceremony, as well as pipe ceremonies, in a safe and respectful environment. These rooms are carefully selected and maintained to honour the cultural significance of smudging.

Here's where you can find them:

Fredericton campus

Saint John campus

How to use a smudge-friendly room

To ensure a meaningful and respectful smudging experience, follow these guidelines:

  • Check availability: Ensure the room is free and unoccupied. Non-office spaces typically need to be booked ahead of time. This will help avoid any scheduling conflicts and ensure the space is available for you to smudge.
  • Set the sliding sign: Adjust it to "Smudging in Progress" before using the room for smudging. This lets everyone know when smudging ceremonies are happening. As a precaution, please open a window before starting your ceremony to avoid setting off any smoke detectors outside the smudging room.
  • Once you are done smudging, please ensure you tidy up, returning the room to the state in which you found it. Then slide the sign back to its original state.

By following these simple steps, you can make the most of your smudging experience while honouring the traditions and beliefs behind this powerful ritual.

In the event you wish to hold a Smudging or Pipe Ceremony in a space not listed as a designated location, please contact Facilities Management.

If you have any questions, you can contact:

  • Office of the Piluwitahasuwin: piluwitahasuwin@unb.ca 
  • Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre: mwc@unb.ca 
  • Senior Indigenous Advisor, Saint John campus: 506-648-5610
  • Facilities Management:
  • Security:
    • Fredericton campus, director of Security & Traffic: 506-453-4830
    • Saint John campus, director of Environmental Health, Safety & Security: 506-648-5505