Smudging Operating Procedure

Approved By: Vice President, Human Resources, Student Services and International
Approval Date: December 10, 2025
Effective Date: January 19, 2026
Replaces: Version 2024
Corresponding Policy: Smudging Policy

Downloadable Documents: Smudging Operating Procedure

Purpose

This document provides guidance to ensure that smudging ceremonies are conducted respectfully, safely, and in alignment with Cambrian’s Smudging Policy and applicable campus safety regulations.

Scope

This procedure applies to all College employees, students, and visitors on college property. Designated approved areas for smudging ceremonies (the Wabnode Centre for Indigenous Services and the Sacred Arbour) are permitted without further authorization. Smudging in all other areas of college property is subject to this procedure.

Definitions

College property: any land owned and controlled or leased by the College, inclusive of buildings, learning places, public places, and workplaces.

Sacred medicine: sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and tobacco.

Smudging: an Indigenous practice of burning certain plants such as sweet grass, sage, cedar and/or tobacco, in order to create a cleansing smoke, which is used to purify people, as well as ceremonial and ritual spaces and ceremonial tools and objects.

Operating Procedure

1. Requests for Smudging must be submitted at least ten business days prior to the event to allow sufficient time for planning and coordination.

2. The Requestor must obtain permission from their Dean, Director, or Supervisor prior to submitting the Request Form.

3. The Requestor submits the request using the Smudging Request Form.

4. Wabnode reviews and approves the request, then notifies all staff and students via email of the date and location where smudging will occur.

5. Alternative arrangements to accommodate health concerns related to smudging may be requested as follows:

Staff may request accommodation through their supervisor.
Students may request accommodation through their faculty member(s).

6. The Requestor (staff member) must ensure that signage is posted near the entrances of the Floor section of the smudging location five business days prior to the event.

7. Once the aroma of the smudge has dissipated, the Requestor is responsible for ensuring the removal of signage.