The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor As the local aboriginal population grows, the cultural ritual of smudging is becoming more commonplace. Now the Flin Flon School Board will examine whether a policy is needed to govern how the practice is performed in schools. At Tuesday's board meeting, Superintendent Blaine Veitch said the provincial government has informed him of concerns around smudging, such as allergies and other health issues. 'We have had some smudging in the schools,' he said. 'We haven't had complaints, but I think it's just prudent that we look at some policies that will provide some guidelines for the schools.' Seeing the potential for smudging to become more frequent, Veitch said it makes sense to have a policy covering the practice. The board's Policy Review Committee will now discuss the matter. Smudging involves burning certain herbs, such as sweetgrass, and having participants take the smoke in their hands and brush it over their own bodies. The individual leading the ceremony may use a feather to fan the smoke in the direction of participants. Smudging has historically been used in aboriginal culture to physically and spiritually cleanse people of negativity. Other than schools, the practice has been used at opening ceremonies for events, such as last year's Royal Weekend in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee.
