Smudging controversy 'much ado about nothing', Drew Hayden Taylor says

Ojibway author Drew Hayden Taylor says he doesn't understand why the Indigenous practice of smudging is being equated with religious rituals.

A mother in Port Alberni, B.C., is taking her local school district to court,allegingher children were forced to participate in an Aboriginal spirituality ceremonythat she considersreligious in nature.

"Smudging is a method of purification of opening yourself up to new thoughts and new ways of doing things," Hayden Taylor saidof the cleansing ceremony that involves burning sage."What it does is prepares you for a pure way of life and whatever you're planning to do that day."

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The recent controversy over smudging in public institutions is, "to quote another playwright, much ado about nothing," Hayden Taylorsaid during a visit to Thunder Bay this week where a ban on smudging in a provincial building used for coroner's inquestswas recently lifted.

"It's more spiritual than religious," he said."It's like dreamcatchers. Dreamcatchers are not the equivalent of a cross. You cannot frighten off a vampire with a dreamcatcher."

Smudging is also a way of demonstrating trust and welcoming others into a circle of respect, he said.

"I'm not sure why anyone would be against something that has only positive attributes."