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Elders in residence and traditional knowledge keepers

Elders and traditional knowledge keepers are respected Indigenous community members who provide cultural guidance, mentorship, and support. At HÂþ»­, elders are key in supporting Indigenous student success, fostering cultural understanding, conducting ceremonies like smudging, and offering traditional knowledge to the university community. 

Elders in Residence program Ceremonies and protocols
An advisor wearing Indigenous jewellery around her neck smiles at a student who has her back towards the camera.

“Elders not only hold the knowledge of our ancestors, they have the language through which the knowledge must be imparted to the youth… Elders are the keepers of the sacred lessons of tribal and global harmony for all living things within the environment.â€

 Late Mi'kmaw Elder Murdena Marshall

Elders in residence and traditional knowledge keepers

The main purpose of the Elders in Residence and Traditional Knowledge Keepers Program is to provide support and counsel to Indigenous students attending HÂþ»­ University. The program mandate is to focus on the needs of Indigenous students throughout the year.

The Elders in Residence Program resources are used for Indigenous student supports and activities.

Students can access the service of the Elders at the Indigenous Student Centre, online virtually, or/and by individual appointment when required.

Coordination through the Office of Mi'kmaq and Indigenous Relations will ensure that:

  • You are guided appropriately

  • You understand the respectful offering of gifts

  • HÂþ»­ community understands the respectful treatment of Elders

The Elders in Residence Program builds an awareness of other services that may be available upon request. 

Please note that the Elders in Residence Program (EIR) at HÂþ»­ has been undergoing a review resulting in some changes to enhance the services provided to Mi’kmaw and Indigenous students at HÂþ»­ University. The Elders program is still in place at Dal and students may still request Elders support. It will be enhanced to include more elders from L’nu territory, to offer recommendations for Traditional Knowledge Keepers when requested as well as to make the service more accessible and inclusive for the Mi’kmaw and Indigenous students at Dal.

Learn more about the Elders in Residence program

For more information on the program, contact the OVPIR: kayler.mutyabule@dal.ca.

Elder Ann Labillois is wearing a gown for convocation.

Ceremonies and protocols

Respectful treatment of our Elders and the Traditional Knowledge Keepers is of utmost importance especially as we move forward together in this time of Truth and Reconciliation.

Smudging ceremonies

The Smudging Ceremony is a purifying and cleansing ceremony for individuals, gatherings, and spaces. Smudging is also used as a protection for the Elder. Know that smudging is an integral part of some ceremonies. The Elder will know the protocol to follow. When the Elder is finished with their teachings, s/he will hand the meeting back to you. Again, do not impose a time limit on the Elder, they know what is appropriate.

Never interrupt the Elder.

A close-up of smudging, which involves the burning of one or more medicines such as tobacco, sage, cedar or sweetgrass. A feather is used to fan the smoke from the medicine bundle.

Preparing a tobacco tie

Tobacco can be given in a pouch prepared by wrapping the tobacco in a piece of cotton cloth and tied with cotton string. There are circumstances when even a cigarette could be offered. The Elder coordinator will advise you when the offering of a cigarette is appropriate. The minimum amount of tobacco offered is the amount needed to fill the bowl of a pipe. 

Tobacco is a sacred medicine and only commercial tobacco or tobacco in its natural form (kinnikinic) is acceptable. Some people have asked if a mixture of “healthy†herbs or other medicines can be used instead of tobacco —the answer is NO. Whatever your views on tobacco, it is one of the four sacred medicines to Indigenous people and specifically used for requests to Elders.

Tobacco ties are typically offered when approaching an Elder. Please contact the OVPIR (kayler.mutyabule@dal.ca) if you need guidance on how to prepare tobacco ties.