Smudging and other Indigenous ceremonies involving fire or smoke
The University of Toronto welcomes smudging by Indigenous community members across its campuses.
Learn more about the university’s commitment to supporting smudging and other Indigenous ceremonies.
This page provides information to support smudging and other Indigenous ceremonies involving fire or smoke for our Indigenous community on the St. George campus.
What is smudging?
Smudging is a tradition for many Indigenous Peoples. It involves burning traditional plants such as sage, cedar, or sweetgrass, to cleanse and purify the mind, body, and spirit.
Ceremonial fires are outdoor gatherings that provide a space for storytelling, teaching, learning, prayer and reflection.
These and other practices are rooted in traditional teachings and help build connections between individuals, the community, and the environment. To learn more about these traditions, their significance, or how you can take part as an Indigenous community member on campus, visit indigenous.utoronto.ca.
Notification process on the St. George campus
Providing notice is important so that building occupants are not alarmed by smoke and the Fire Prevention team can prevent potential disruptions to the ceremony by a triggered fire alarm.
Some people may be sensitive or allergic to the smoke created during ceremonies involving fire, so whenever possible, please communicate openly with those around you.
Planned ceremonies
For all indoor and outdoor ceremonies, event organizers should:
- Use the notice of ceremony form to notify Fire Prevention at least two business days before the event. Notice must be submitted for smudging in all spaces, including spaces designed for smudging. Consider providing more advance notice for large ceremonies or important events as they may require more support from Fire Prevention.
- Follow the fire safety best practices for both a safe event and to minimize the chance of potential disruptions to the ceremony by a triggered fire alarm.
- Print and post copies of the notice of Indigenous ceremony poster outside the entrance of the smudging ceremony location.
- Remove all posters after the event.
Fire prevention officers will:
- Review every notice submitted.
- Issue a service alert to building occupants to increase awareness of the event.
- Initiate a fire watch protocol for the building to eliminate the possibility of triggering a fire alarm, at their discretion. Learn about a fire watch.
- Only contact event organizers if they have questions or will be supporting with a fire watch.
Unplanned ceremonies
Participants should:
- Consider providing notice to Fire Prevention using the notice of ceremony form, if possible.
- Communicate with those around you in advance of smudging.
- If smudging is a regular occurrence in your space, it is strongly recommended to post the regular occurrence poster to inform your community.
- Always follow fire safety best practices to ensure safe smudging.
Fire safety best practices for indoor ceremonies
All individuals participating in smudging or other ceremonies are responsible to:
- Before a ceremony, locate the nearest fire alarm pull station, fire extinguisher, and emergency exits
- Do not exceed the maximum occupancy of the space
- Conduct the ceremony away from any smoke detectors
- Ensure all doors remain closed during a ceremony
- Consider opening windows, if possible
- Locate and move any combustible materials, where possible
- Exercise caution
- Never leave burning material unattended
- Dispose of ashes in a safe and appropriate manner when they are cool to the touch
Not following best practices may activate a fire alarm, which will require the evacuation of the building and/or pose occupational health and safety risks to the University community. This may also result in financial penalties imposed by Toronto Fire Services, which may be recovered from the department organizing the event.
Bookable spaces and resources
While Indigenous ceremonies are welcome across campus, there are several spaces on the St. George campus specifically designed for ceremonies involving smoke or fire; these are bookable for use. Smudging in these areas will not activate the buildings’ fire alarm and the spread of smoke to adjacent areas will be minimal. Other areas, such as First Nations House, makes sacred medicines available.
Some of these spaces are listed in the table below for convenience. However, ceremonies are not limited to these spaces.
Smudging in the following spaces can be performed by contacting the room representatives and following all additional local instructions:
| Building | Room | Occupancy | Contact information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borden Building North | Turtle Lounge, second floor | 27 | fnh.info@utoronto.ca |
| Borden Building North | Main Lounge, third floor | 35 | fnh.info@utoronto.ca |
| Cumberland House | Cumberland Room (102) | 60 | cie.information@utoronto.ca |
| Faculty of Law (Flavelle House) | Rowell Room (228) | 70 | facultysupport.law@utoronto.ca |
| Gerstein Science Information Centre | 1230 | 45 | askari.husain@utoronto.ca |
| Jackman Humanities Building | 100A | 175 | admin@utoronto.ca |
| Jackman Humanities Building | 100B | 30 | admin@utoronto.ca |
| Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Exterior terrace, eighth floor | 20 | Myhal Facilities Management |
| Student Commons | B100 | 100 | Book here |
Spaces to avoid
Some spaces on campus may have more individuals with smoke sensitivities or present a greater fire risk than others.
Avoid ceremonies involving fire or smoke in:
- Athletic facilities or areas where aerobic activity is taking place
- Kitchens or food preparation spaces
- Labs
- Libraries where smoke may impact rare books or other key archives
- Mechanical or industrial workshop spaces where there may be an increased risk of fire
- Medical clinics or where there may be an increased presence of individuals with respiratory conditions
Outdoor ceremonial fires on the St. George campus
Designated outdoor spaces
There are several dedicated outdoor ceremonial fire sites on the St. George campus. Indigenous groups on campus maintain relationships with City of Toronto Fire Services to keep these sites active.
For booking and approval to hold a fire ceremony:
- Contact fnh.info@utoronto.ca for the Earth Sciences courtyard and the Indigenous Students Association Garden (east of Hart House)
- Submit a booking request for the Mother Earth Learning Lodge in the New College Quad
- Contact indigenous.initiatives@utoronto.ca for the Ziibiing (south of Hart House, east of University College)
To hold an outdoor ceremonial fire in another location on the St. George campus, contact fireprevention@utoronto.ca.
Outdoor ceremonial fire safety
Ceremony organizers and participants are responsible to:
- Ensure the fire pit is clear of debris.
- Avoid creating fires during windy or very dry weather conditions.
- Keep the fire a manageable size and contained in the fire pit.
- Ensure someone is always overseeing the fire.
- Gradually reduce the size of the fire as the ceremony concludes and thoroughly extinguish the fire. Repeatedly douse and stir the ashes to ensure they are cool.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby.
Additional resources
Learn more about the university’s commitment to supporting smudging and other Indigenous ceremonies.
For more information about engaging with Indigenous Initiatives at the University of Toronto, visit indigenous.utoronto.ca.