Smudge

Summary

The video script explores the deep connection between Indigenous spirituality and modern urban life. It highlights practices like smudging and drumming, emphasizing their importance for grounding, purification, and prayer. The participants discuss how these traditions help them feel connected to the earth and the Creator, even in city environments. The script reflects on the challenges faced in preserving Indigenous rituals, particularly in public spaces, and underscores the inclusiveness of Native spirituality, which allows for prayer anywhere. The script also touches on themes of identity, belonging, and respect for Indigenous practices.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Praying can happen everywhere, not just in religious buildings; it's about connecting with the world around you.
• 🌱 Smudging is a grounding and purifying practice for many Indigenous individuals, used to stay connected with the Creator.
• 🏙️ Indigenous people often feel invisible or lonely in large urban environments, craving connection with others who share their heritage.
• 🙏 Many Indigenous individuals blend traditional spiritual practices, like sweat lodges, with modern life, finding a sense of belonging and grounding.
• 🎶 Drumming is seen as a form of prayer, and smudging before drumming purifies and prepares the mind and heart.
• 🚪 Smudging in institutional spaces, like offices or theatres, can be met with misunderstandings or resistance due to fire regulations or lack of awareness.
• 🔥 Relationships with people in a shared space can make smudging easier, as they may be more open to understanding its significance.
• 🧑‍🏫 Indigenous spiritual practices like smudging face challenges in modern institutions that weren’t designed with such traditions in mind.
• 🌕 Full Moon ceremonies honor the power of the moon, symbolizing a life-giving force and courage, and bring women together to honor their connection to the Earth.
• 🌿 Native spirituality is not an organized religion, but rather an open practice where individuals pray and connect with the Creator wherever they are.

Q & A

What is Michaela's perspective on praying?

Michaela believes that prayer is not confined to a specific place, such as a building, but can happen anywhere, including while walking down the street.

Why does Michaela practice smudging, and where does she smudge?

Michaela practices smudging to stay grounded and connected to herself and the Creator. She smudges wherever she can find privacy and quiet, including vehicles, streets, and parks.

What does Wanda suggest about the spirit's presence in the city?

Wanda emphasizes that the spirit lives everywhere, even in the city, and cannot be denied just because they live in an urban area.

What significance does Bonita attribute to her practice of prayer and smudging?

Bonita views prayer as an expression of gratitude. She learned smudging and used sweetgrass for purification before drumming, which she also considers a form of prayer.

How does Michaela describe her experience with Catholicism, and what changed for her in a sweat lodge ceremony?

Michaela felt disconnected, unsafe, and judged in Catholicism due to her sexuality. However, in her first sweat lodge ceremony, she felt at home and connected with something tangible, like the earth, moon, and rocks.

What challenges has Bonita faced when smudging in her academic environment?

Bonita has smudged in her office but is aware of potential interruptions due to fire codes and the institution’s lack of consideration for smudging.

How does Michaela navigate smudging in public or shared spaces?

Michaela finds it easier to smudge when she has a relationship with the people in the space. However, misunderstandings about smudging, especially concerns about fire or smoke, can lead to challenges.

What are some issues Michaela faced when trying to smudge in a theatre space?

Michaela faced resistance when the theatre staff, concerned about fire and smoke, took her to an inappropriate location for smudging. This showed a lack of understanding of smudging practices.

How does Bonita feel about visibility and being Native in a predominantly white society?

Bonita feels that visibility is crucial, especially when practicing cultural traditions like singing. She fears being judged or having the police called on her because of racial misunderstandings.

What teaching did Wanda share about offering tobacco on cement sidewalks?

Wanda shared that everything, even cement, is connected to Mother Earth. Underneath the cement lies the earth, which makes it appropriate to offer tobacco anywhere.