Sacred Medicines
By Katen Kelly
In Cree culture, traditional medicines hold deep spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental significance. They are gifts from the land, used for healing, ceremony, and guidance. These sacred medicines, tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass connect us to our ancestors, to each other, and to the Creator. Each medicine carries unique teachings and purposes, rooted in respect, gratitude, and balance.
Tobacco: The Offering Medicine
Tobacco is one of the most sacred medicines in Cree culture, often used as an offering to show respect and gratitude. It is given to Elders when seeking guidance, to knowledge keepers when asking for teachings, and to the land when harvesting other medicines or taking the life of an animal for food. Tobacco carries our prayers to the Creator and is a way of communicating with the spirit world.
When using tobacco in a sacred way, it should be offered with good intentions and never wasted.
Traditionally, natural tobacco, free of chemicals, is preferred over commercial tobacco products.
Sage: The Purification Medicine
Sage is known for its powerful cleansing properties, both physically and spiritually. It is often burned in a practice called smudging, which clears negative energies, purifies spaces, and prepares people for prayer or ceremony. Sage is also used to strengthen and protect the spirit, promoting clarity and emotional balance.
There are different types of sage, and among the Cree, it is commonly used to cleanse ourselves before entering sacred spaces.
When picking sage, we offer tobacco and express gratitude, taking only what is needed and leaving the rest for the land and future generations.
Cedar: The Protective Medicine
Cedar is known as a powerful protector. Its smoke is used in smudging for purification, and its leaves can be brewed into a tea for medicinal purposes. Cedar is often placed in homes and sacred spaces to keep away negative energies and offer spiritual protection. It is also used in sweat lodge ceremonies, where its cleansing properties help participants prepare for spiritual renewal.
The scent of cedar is comforting and grounding, reminding us of the strength and resilience of our ancestors.
Like other medicines, cedar is harvested with respect, ensuring that it is never overpicked or taken without offering something in return.
Sweetgrass: The Medicine of Kindness
Sweetgrass is known as the “hair of Mother Earth” and carries a sweet, calming scent when burned. It is braided into three strands, symbolizing mind, body, and spirit or love, kindness, and honesty. Unlike sage, which removes negative energy, sweetgrass brings in positive energy, creating a welcoming and peaceful atmosphere.
Sweetgrass is often used after smudging with sage, inviting good spirits and blessings. Its calming presence is a reminder to walk in a good way, with kindness and humility.
Harvesting sweetgrass requires deep respect, as it is a sacred medicine that should never be pulled out by the roots, ensuring it continues to grow for future generations.
Respecting and Honoring Sacred Medicines
These sacred medicines are more than just plants; they are living spirits that deserve respect. When harvesting, offering tobacco and thanking the land ensures a reciprocal relationship. It is also important to learn from Elders and knowledge keepers about proper protocols and teachings, as different communities may have their own unique traditions.
By incorporating these medicines into our daily lives and ceremonies, we strengthen our connection to our ancestors, to the land, and to the Creator. They remind us to walk with humility, gratitude, and balance, carrying forward the teachings of our people.
The sacred medicines are gifts—meant to be shared, respected, and used with good intentions. May they continue to guide and heal us as they have for generations.