Tobacco

Tobacco is extremely important in the Aboriginal cultures of the prairies – it is one of our sacred medicines. Tobacco is used to open communication, whether to talk with an Elder to ask questions or when requesting ceremony, or when praying to Creator. When we pass Tobacco, we are honouring a tradition that is very old. It is said that it is the leader of our medicines because it comes first.

Tobacco is also used when we pick sacred medicine and herbs. We would first talk or pray with the tobacco asking that the Medicines do its work for us. Tobacco is also smoked in our sacred pipes to pray with (not inhaled). If there is a sacred fire we would place tobacco into the fire after we have prayed with it. The tobacco would hold our prayers and as it burns the smoke would carry our prayers to the Creator.

IMPORTANT: when making a request to an Elder/Traditional Teacher whether for information, advice and/ or to make a presentation it is respectful to offer tobacco first. Elders realize that if it is an emergency tobacco may not be present and can then be offered later. If you have any questions please feel free to contact any TPAC member for assistance.

More information about Tobacco.