Elnu Abenaki Tribe

There are many ideas and traditions on the uses of these sacred plants being use today.  But what I have written has been taken from historical accounts and traditional stories from the Northeast and they are basic and simple.  The three sacred plants most commonly used in the Northeast were:

Tobacco (Nicotiana Rustica) was used as an offering to the Creator or lessor Spirit Beings, when praying or asking for their assistance or protection.  This is done by burning it on a fire, coals or smoking it in a pipe. The smoke will rise into the air and carry your prayers into the Spirit World,
so they may be heard.  Or one could spread the tobacco into the wind or upon some waters like a lake, river, ocean; so that it would make the Spirits happy by showing respect toward them.  Also, tobacco was smoked when
important words were to be spoken to the people.     

Cedar, both Eastern red cedar (Juniperus Virginiana) and Eastern white cedar (Thuja Occidentalis), were used to drive away bad spirits, feelings or influences.  This is done by burning the leaf or green part and smudging a person, place or thing with the smoke.  Sage was not used in the Northeast until probably the 19th or early 20th century.

Sweetgrass is used to bring in good spirits, feelings and influences.  This is done by burning it and letting the smoke spread around a person, place or thing.

These plants should not be mixed together or burnt at the same time.   Each has its time and place to be burned.  I have been told never to put any sacred thing in a plastic bag.  The spirit can not move around freely in plastic.  A leather, wool, bark or paper container should be used.



Norm & Patty M'Sadoques with his Native Tobacco Garden

Making Cedar Smudge Sticks
with the young ones