Ween-Gushk (Sweetgrass) is very significant among Native people throughout North America. It is one of the four “Sacred Medicine Plants” given to the First Peoples; Tobacco, Sage and Cedar being the other three, Sweetgrass is used to cleanse the mind, body and spirit. it is symbolic of purification, and is considered sacred and plays an important part in ceremonies and spiritual significance. During a ceremony a braid of Sweetgrass is burned at the tip or put in a smudge bowl. As the smoke from the smouldering sweetgrass rises, prayers rise with it to the Creator.

Indian Tobacco grows wild in most sections of North America. However, it is no way related to tobacco and does not contain nicotine or other poisonous properties. The Great Lakes Ojibwa, and the neighbouring Iroquois used it for a number of medicinal purposes, including as a remedy for stomach aches and fever. It tends to remove obstructions from every part of the system and is even felt to the ends of the toes. Indian Tobacco not only cleanses the stomach but exercises a beneficial influence over every part of the body.

Sage; there are many varieties of Sage and all are effective in smudging. Smudging is a way of using the smoke from burning herbs to cleanse the body, an object, or a given area of negative influences. Many Native Americans used varieties of sage for medicinal purposes as well s religious ceremonies. The burning of Sage in smudging ceremonies is to drive out evil spirits, negative thoughts and feelings, and to keep negative entities away. The root was used by the Ojibwa in three ways: as an anti-convulsive, on wounds to stop bleeding, and as a stimulant. The Potawatomi burned the plant to smudge and also used it as poultice on long-standing sores.

True Cedar is burnt while praying to the Great Spirit in meditation, and also to bless a house before moving in. In traditional medicine, a compound decoction of twigs was made into an herbal steam for rheumatism. It works both as a purifier and as a way to attract GOOD energy in your direction.

Remember that all the plants and animals are part of this community - just as you and I. Let’s not forget, when any plant is picked or any animal is taken, Tobacco and Prayer must be given to show respect. By Honouring 'All Our Relations’ we demonstrate that we have not forgotten our place within the Web of Life.