Aboriginal Students Association at York opens Multicultural week with smudging ceremony
Ernest Reid
Science & Technology Editor
@ernestreid
Multicultural week is about acceptance and celebrating cultures. However, once the event ends, Aboriginal students will continue to struggle to practice their culture at York.
The Aboriginal Students Association at York (ASAY) protested York’s ambiguous policies on “smudging” during Multicultural week’s opening ceremonies.
ASAY vp Megan Bertassen explains the smudging process, in which traditional herbal medicines are lit, and the generated smoke is gathered and pushed over the head, eyes, and body to cleanse them. It is a ritual done to “begin events in a good way,” she explains. It is a major cultural tradition used by many Aboriginal nations.
“We didn’t ask for permission,” Bertassen says of the ceremony. Although they informed the York Federation of Students (YFS) beforehand they would be smudging, they say they were not aiming to ask for permission from the Student Centre.
“We’re not asking for permission because Multicultural week is purporting to be accepting,” says Bertassen. “If you’re going to accept us, you have to accept all of us.”
She says they have been told not to smudge in their fourth-floor Student Centre office, citing reasons such as ventilation and open flame concerns.
She says smudging might be a fire hazard if unattended, but due to it being a medicine, it is never left unattended.
Randy Pitawanakwat, coordinator at the York Centre for Aboriginal Student Services, says he is “not aware if York has an official smudging policy.”
“Smudging can be done safely in the Centre for Aboriginal Student Services,” says Pitawanakwat. Two rooms on the second floor of York Lanes are equipped with a ventilation system installed during renovations specifically for smudging.
Currently, York follows the provincial by-laws in regards to the Tobacco Control Act, he says.
“The Tobacco Control Act strictly states that Aboriginal people can use traditional medicines within smoke-free buildings,” Pitawanakwat explains.
The policy is separate from non-smoking bylaws. This can include tobacco, cedar, sage, and sweetgrass.
Tobacco, he specifies, can only be used for traditional or ceremonial purposes only.
Wallace Pidgeon of York media fully encourages students to engage in their traditional ceremonial practises, including the practice of smudging.
“York is working hard to accommodate smudging ceremonies in accordance with Ontario health and safety codes,” he says. “Smudging is a time-honoured tradition.”
At the opening ceremony itself, Bertassen says the YFS was “100-per-cent supportive.” She noted that Alastair Woods, vp of campaigns and advocacy, went to different groups participating in the parade, inviting them to join in the smudge.
“Most people were eager to participate,” she says.
Woods says they informed the Student Centre of the planned smudging ceremony. The Student Centre unavailable to comment on the situation at the time of publication.
“We wanted to raise awareness of the fact that as aboriginal students, there is such ambiguity with the policy,” says Bertassen.
