| Topic: | Faculty, Staff, Students: Conduct and Responsibilities |
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| Approval Date: | November 29, 2024 |
| Effective Date: | December 1, 2024 |
Procedures adopted pursuant to Smudging and Pipe Ceremony Policy.
1. Indoor Individual or Small Group (2-4) Smudging or Pipe Ceremony (for those familiar with smudging)
1.1. Being a Good Neighbour
a. Being a good neighbour means letting the people around you know that you practice smudging on a regular/semi-regular basis. They may notice the aroma, but it dissipates fairly quickly. Share a link to the Smudging Policy if requested.
b. The person leading the smudge is responsible for promptly addressing any concerns or issues that may arise.
c. In personal spaces and dedicated spaces where there is no smoke detector, there is no need for advanced notice.
2. Indoor Medium (5 – 25) and Large (26+) Group Smudging or Pipe Ceremony
2.1. Being a Good Neighbour
a. It is the responsibility for the leader of the Indigenous ceremonial practice to implement the principles of a Good Neighbour and notify nearby spaces of the upcoming Indigenous Ceremonial Practice to ensure good working relationships with the surrounding spaces.
b. Signage will be placed at entry-points prior to the start of the Indigenous Ceremonial Practice to inform the public and participants of the Indigenous ceremonial practice taking place. Signage must include the date, time and location.
c. The lead is responsible for guiding and assisting participants during the ceremony.
d. The lead is responsible for promptly addressing any concerns or issues that may arise.
e. Information will be provided to participants regarding the nature of the Indigenous ceremonial practice for those with allergy or scent sensitivity concerns to accommodate themselves accordingly.
f. Those leading pre-planned large gatherings are to provide advance notice (minimum 72 hours) notice to the AVP Indigenous Initiatives of the intention to smudge or perform pipe ceremonies.
3. Outdoor Smudging or Pipe Ceremony
3.1. Smudging and pipe ceremony is allowed outdoors on any campus without prior notice but should take place no closer than 9 meters to any building entrance.
4. Health & Fire Safety
4.1. The person performing the smudge or pipe ceremony will be responsible for ensuring the presence of fire extinguishers, locating the closest fire extinguisher to the area where the smudging or pipe ceremony is taking place. A small bowl or glass of water should be used to extinguish embers remaining.
4.2. Medicines used for smudging and pipe ceremony must be burned in a fireproof vessel (e.g. earthenware bowl, large shell, stone pipe).
4.3. Leaders of the ceremony must appropriately manage the amount of medicine used in indoor spaces so as not to create enough smoke to overpower the space.
4.4. The ceremonial leader is responsible for ensuring materials are attended to until they have been completely extinguished and disposed of in a culturally appropriate manner.
4.5. For indoor ceremony, doors shall remain closed for the duration of the ceremony and until all smoke has dissipated.
4.6. A designated individual must remain present for the duration of the ceremony to be able to call for assistance in the case of a fire or medical emergency.
4.7. If a fire alarm goes off during smudging or pipe ceremony taking place indoors, evacuate the building as per normal procedures, ensuring any lit medicine is extinguished. If the cause of the alarm is due to the ceremony taking place in a space that is exempt from this policy (see section 6), ceremony lead(s) may be charged for any costs incurred by the University.
5. Respect and Responsibilities
5.1. It is important that a smudge or pipe ceremony as part of a group activity is conducted with respect to both those who choose to be involved and those who choose not to participate.
5.2. The lead is responsible for assigning roles and responsibilities to individuals participating in the ceremony.
5.3. Cultural practices including smudging and pipe ceremonies are voluntary; no individual will be pressured to participate. Individuals who choose to refrain from participating can either stay in the room or leave. Individuals who wish to exit an area where smudging is taking place shall do so quietly, respecting ceremony participants.
5.4. University community members have a responsibility to exercise respect and consideration to one another. Some people may have sensitivity or allergies to the smoke created during the ceremony, and ceremony leads should endeavour to ensure they are given the opportunity to leave the area prior to the event.
6. Exceptions
6.1. Smudging and pipe ceremony cannot be conducted in some spaces for a variety of reasons, including the following spaces:
a. Athletic facilities or areas where aerobic activity is taking place;
b. Kitchens or food preparation spaces;
c. Laboratory facilities;
d. Libraries where smoke may impact rare books or other key archives;
e. Mechanical or industrial workshop spaces where there may be an increased risk of fire;
f. Medical clinics where there may be an increased presence of individuals with respiratory conditions.
6.2. Spaces, including private rooms, that use smoke detectors as their fire detection system must be cleared by facilities services to be used for smudging or pipe ceremony. This may require temporarily bypassing of fire systems for the duration of an event. Facilities service maintains a listing of spaces that use smoke detectors. Facilities also provides a copy of this list to the office of Indigenous Initiatives. Leads must email the University Building and Fire Code Compliance office (firesafe@yorku.ca) and the AVP Indigenous Initiatives (avpii@yorku.ca) to request clearance of these spaces for smudging at least five business days in advance of the ceremony.
| Legislative History: | Approved by Vice-President Equity, People and Culture, November 29, 2024 |
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| Related Policies, Procedures and Guidelines: |