Print 
Share 
Text 
To reset, hold the Ctrl key, then press 0.
Smudging is often used when someone is born, or someone dies, or during a crisis. It might also be part of a patient’s everyday spiritual practices.
For many patients and families, spiritual practices can help manage the stress of time spent in hospital. For First Nations and Métis patients and families, these practices might include smudging ceremonies.
The Ottawa Hospital now has a procedure in place to be able to respond to requests from patients and families for smudging ceremonies.
Smudging is a traditional practice that is part of some, but not all, Indigenous cultures in Canada, and is practiced differently by different communities. Patients might request a smudging ceremony at any time, for a wide variety of reasons.
“When she learned she would be able to smudge in the hospital even though she couldn’t leave her room, there was a sense of relief.”
Karen Lawrence, Clinical Manager on 6East, requested a smudging ceremony for a patient not long after the standard operating procedure was approved.
“Smudging was part of the patient’s normal practice. When she learned she would be able to smudge in the hospital even though she couldn’t leave her room, there was a sense of relief,” she said.
Smudging is often used when someone is born, or someone dies, or during a crisis. It might also be part of a patient’s everyday spiritual practices.
During a smudging ceremony, people generally burn traditional, medicinal plants and waft the smoke over parts of the body as a spiritually cleansing ritual.
Patients can smudge in three different types of spaces at the hospital: outside the hospital building, in a designated indoor smudging area, or if the patient can’t be moved to a designated indoor smudging area, a smudge can be arranged for inpatient rooms.
Requesting a smudge was easy and seamless, said Lawrence: “There’s a lot of support to help you.”
The standard operating procedure for smudging includes safety requirements so that smoke and scent from the smudge doesn’t travel through the hospital and affect other patients, families, or staff members.
“For many of our Indigenous patients, being able to smudge while in hospital is an important part of their spiritual wellbeing,” said Gwen Barton, Manager of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis Cancer Program. “As health-care providers, it’s our responsibility to do what we can to create a culturally safe and respectful environment.”
To request a smudging ceremony, please talk to your health-care team.
Support patient care and research at
The Ottawa Hospital
You might also like…
A guide to mindful movement for pain management
Are you seeking relief from pain, discomfort or stress? In these four videos, Physiotherapist Cristin Kargus guides you through gentle, mindful movements to help you reconnect with your body.
Caring for our health-care workers
With access to family physicians, mental health support and even rejuvenating massage chairs, The Ottawa Hospital’s Wellness Program is working hard to support our staff and medical staff. For a closer look at how, check out this comprehensive guide to wellness resources at our hospital.
More than a shirt: Orange shirts support healing and community
Pamela Meness, owner of Diamond Phoenix Creations, the Kitigan Zibi-based supplier of The Ottawa Hospital’s Every Child Matters orange t-shirts, says her business is about healing and community.
Patient gifts a piece of home to Indigenous Cancer Program
Inuit patients can now see and hold a piece of their traditional territory in the Windòcàge Room at the General Campus, thanks to an interactive gift donated to The Ottawa Hospital by a cancer patient.
A team from The Ottawa Hospital helps organize first-ever oncology conference in the North
When it comes to cancer treatment, there’s no place like home. This spring, a team from The Ottawa Hospital helped organize Nunavut’s first-ever oncology conference to figure out how to bring oncology care closer to home for patients.
A land acknowledgement that honours the land and the medicines it provides
Visitors to The Ottawa Hospital are now greeted by a prominent land acknowledgement, which has been installed by the main entrances at each of our three main campuses. It is paired with artwork by Simon Brascoupé and his daughter, Mairi Brascoupé, both from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.