A Native American ceremony for spiritual blessing or purification, called Smudging, will be performed at NDSU in the Grandmother Earth's Gifts of Life Garden on the corner of Centennial Boulevard and Administration Avenue on June 17 and July 25. The ceremony will start at 11:30 a.m. and last approximately 20 minutes on both dates. It is free and open to the public.
Smudging follows the Native American Indian tradition for purifying, healing and protecting oneself, persons, objects or places. It is done to cleanse the heart, mind and body of all negative forces.
Smudging uses the smoke from burning sage, cedar or sweet grass. Sage is used to cleanse negative energy surrounding an individual, object or place. Cedar and sweet grass are used to bring good energy to oneself, people, objects or places.
The June 17 ceremony marks the final day of the NATURE Summer Camps. July 25 is the beginning of the Pre-Engineering Education Collaboration Grant Summer Camp.
According to Willard Yellow Bird Jr., City of Fargo cultural planner, smudging can be done by anyone for his or her own spiritual blessing or purification. However, if it is for a group, family or community, the person performing the Smudging must be given certain rights, have been shown how it’s done and be able to pray with a medicine bundle.
“In the Arikara (Sahnish) tradition, you must be a member or have ties with a medicine fraternity,” Yellow Bird said. “My tradition comes from my great grandfather Yellow Bird who was the spiritual leader in the Ghost Society, which was passed down to his son, my dad. When my dad passed away, I accepted the responsibility.”
Before Smudging ceremonies begin, ancestors, now in the spiritual world, are asked to be present at the blessing ceremony.
Yellow Bird was taught that Sahnish Smudging ceremonies have a distinctive beginning and end. The sage is lit and the smoke is first brought to the heart with the hand. Then the smoke is brought to the head to cleanse the mind. Lastly, the smoke is worked up the body, starting at the feet and ending at the top of the head, where the negative forces are released.
For more information on Smudging ceremonies, contact Yellow Bird at (701) 476-4116 or wyellowbird@cityoffargo.com.