As we move towards the later months of the season, for Southern Manitoba, the time to pick sage is now!
White sage, also known as prairie sage, is a traditional medicine for many Indigenous nations across this region and it can be found growing in ditches, parks, and many other areas.
This medicine has been used by Indigenous people for many generations for many reasons, including the cleansing of energies of people and spaces. Additionally, the medicine has become very popular among Indigenous youth as it has been found to aid with anxiety.
Due to the sacredness of the picking and use of this medicine, protocols have been developed to maintain a good relationship between the harvester, Creator, and the land. First, tobacco should always be given as an offering and a prayer should be said before picking. This gives thanks, acknowledges, and pays respect to the relationships between the individual, Mother Earth, the plant, and Creator. Intentions of healing should also be expressed during this time. Another important protocol is that the picker must only take as much as they need. This ensures that the plant can live, grow, and thrive. Additionally, this ensures that the medicine will be available for the use of future generations.
This use of traditional medicine highlights the TRC’s Call to Action #22, which calls for Aboriginal healing practices to be rightfully recognized and valued by the Canadian healthcare system. Hopefully, by sharing the knowledge and practice of Indigenous medicines, healthcare practitioners in Canada can become more familiar with their uses and will be more open to their usage in a clinical setting.
Happy picking!
Leena Tetrault.