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By Glenn Hicks

Ceremonial Smoke

Smudging leads to call-out for P.A.Fire Department

Sep 5, 2019 | 12:35 PM

A rare call-out for the Prince Albert Fire Department has officials reminding people about best practices.

There was a ritual smudging of a building on the 300 block of 19th street on Tuesday. However, afterwards the grass in a can reignited and caused enough smoke to set off fire-alarms.

Inspector Quentin Rowland says crews quickly ventilated the area with no further issues.

“We spoke to the director there and they’re making sure that everyone is aware of what the policies are and how to properly dispose of the sweetgrass once they’re done,” he told paNOW.

Rowland said such an incident was unique.

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“This is very rare. I can’t really think of any calls in the past of this kind of an incident.“

Smudging is the Indigenous practice of burning grass or herbs to bless or cleanse a site or building.

paNOW reached out to Elder A.J. Felix of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation for guidance on how best to conduct sacred smudging inside or outside.

“You don’t need a pile of smoke to be spiritual and you don’t need to smoke up the whole house,” he said. “All you need is a pinch of smudge, a pinch.”

Felix recommended the use of appropriate containers for the purpose such as a frying pan, a large shell, steel bowl or a flat rock with a bowl on top. He also suggested a common sense approach.

“Use as little grass as possible so you don’t disturb fire alarms and the neighbours. And some people are allergic to the sweetgrass,” he explained, also noting there were restrictions on who could do the sacred smudge.

“You cannot be doing a ceremony while under the influence, you cannot be using smudge when you are an addicted person, or at a party where alcohol is involved.”

With files from Michael Joel-Hansen and Ron Quaroni

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow