The 21st National Aboriginal Day in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park saw several booths on display, showcasing cultural practices for local residents.
UNBC’s Health Services department opened a station themselves, teaching the use of tobacco in First Nation, Metis, and Inuit traditions.
.@UNBC booth at #NADCanada event teaches use of tobacco in FN culture; used as healing mechanism, one that you don't smoke | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/51Tz8VAODH
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) June 21, 2017
Registered Nurse Lynette La Fontaine explains there’s one difference in using the plant the public doesn’t fully realize.
“We’ve never actually smoked tobacco; it’s what we use when we’re picking our medicines. So we want to teach people about respecting tobacco; it’s another way of teaching for people not to misuse tobacco.”
As a Metis herself, she adds it also provides a spiritual purpose in healing and cleansing rituals.
“It has beautiful, broad leaves that are then dried, so there’s absolutely no chemicals. The nicotine component is a lot less because traditional tobacco was never smoked, its gifted as thanks.”
La Fontaine hopes the public will come to understand tobacco needs to be respected and should be consumed only for medical purposes.
The booth was set-up in collaboration with the school’s First Nation Services.
"Tobacco can also be used to thank Creator for everyday things like water & life," says @UNBC nurse Linda at #NADCanada | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/mZffXWoXum
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) June 21, 2017