Monday, December 7, 2015

Smudging Canada - Open Letter to Carolyn Bennett, Jody Raybould-Wilson and Mélanie Joly


Hello Honourable Members of Parliament!

I highly suspect that you all are very busy and respect that. Thank you for your time and service. I was hoping I would be able to plant a seed in your minds and inspire others across Canada to see how they can be part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions' calls-to-action.

From the http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister-canadian-heritage-mandate-letter


  • Work in collaboration with the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to provide new funding to promote, preserve and enhance Indigenous languages and cultures.
  • Work with the Minister of Justice to update and reinstate a Court Challenges Program.


I have come across many people Indigenous and non-Indigenous that have known or had access to smudges. Some areas of Canada, in major cities, have done a great job at having that access. That said, I live in Calgary, and have found families directly impacted by missing and murdered Indigenous women, not have access to smudge. I have met Indigenous volunteers (in campaign) that do not have access to smudge kits. Then I have met regular Canadians whom have not heard, let alone seen a smudge. I have heard of jails not allowing or having access to smudge. Not everyone even in the city of Calgary can travel to places to smudge.

Can we start incorporating ways in our systems and Canadian fabric to teach smudge to all in our boundaries with respect to the Nations of the land? Can we make sure people have access to smudge? Can we teach all kids now and moving forward the tradition so they are aware of it, even if not practicing?

Let me, and others who want to, help on how to move an idea like that forward so we can support you in your mandates. Thank you, merci and Mahsi cho. (Mahsi cho is thank you in Dene.)



  • Work in collaboration with the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to provide new funding to promote, preserve and enhance Indigenous languages and cultures.
  • Work with the Minister of Justice to update and reinstate a Court Challenges Program.
- See more at: http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister-canadian-heritage-mandate-letter#sthash.fXfTjiAv.dpuf
  • Work in collaboration with the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to provide new funding to promote, preserve and enhance Indigenous languages and cultures.
  • Work with the Minister of Justice to update and reinstate a Court Challenges Program.
- See more at: http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister-canadian-heritage-mandate-letter#sthash.fXfTjiAv.dpuf
  • Work in collaboration with the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to provide new funding to promote, preserve and enhance Indigenous languages and cultures.
  • Work with the Minister of Justice to update and reinstate a Court Challenges Program.
- See more at: http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister-canadian-heritage-mandate-letter#sthash.fXfTjiAv.dpuf
  • Work in collaboration with the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to provide new funding to promote, preserve and enhance Indigenous languages and cultures.
  • Work with the Minister of Justice to update and reinstate a Court Challenges Program.
- See more at: http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister-canadian-heritage-mandate-letter#sthash.fXfTjiAv.dpuf

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