Smudge quest continues
Setback at U. of Wisconsin campus viewed as a new opportunity
By
Rob Capriccioso
Story Published:
Dec 2, 2008
Story Updated:
Dec 1, 2008
STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Native students at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point have had to get through a lot of red tape – or in this case, white tape, some say – in order to fight for the right to smudge in their dorms.
As Indian Country Today recently reported, the charge on the issue has been led by graduate student Rory Griffin, Menominee, as a result of misunderstandings he and other Native students have faced when practicing aspects of their religions.
An administrative decision has now been made on this issue, and it isn’t exactly of the sort that Griffin and other students who have faced discrimination after practicing smudging were hoping.
During a recent meeting with a fire marshal for the state, Griffin and others were told that fire codes prevent burning of any kind in dormitories. The marshal said that despite the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, he was uncomfortable with allowing the lighting of sacred medicines used in smudging, due to the possibility of fires.
Candles, incense burning, and cigarette smoking are no longer allowed in the halls for the same reason.
Given the information, administrators decided to offer permission for students to smudge outside the front and back of the dorms. They will also be allowed to smudge down eagle feathers and carry smoke into their rooms.
“It’s a step backwards, and I am disappointed,” Griffin told ICT in a new interview. “But we’ve been told that there’s nothing we can do because of state and federal fire code laws for residence halls.
Griffin is now setting up meetings with Native students and administrators at higher education institutions in other states where smudging is believed to be allowed in dorms.
His hope is to use the information he gathers to convince members of the Wisconsin Legislature that there is precedent for recognizing and protecting smudging in mainstream, public school systems.
While Griffin views the fire code decision as a setback, he is also keeping positive.
“This is the very first time this has been done on any campus in the University of Wisconsin System,” the natural resource management major said.
“I am very excited for the future of our campus because we are now raising visibility on our concerns, and we can now try to get better policies adopted on other campuses.”
Native students are also pleased that administrators are exploring designing a room somewhere on campus that will be ventilated and will not pose a fire hazard. Students will have regular access to the room, including after school hours, to perform religious ceremonies.
Sharon Cloud, director of the institution’s Native American Center and an advisor to a campus Native student organization, said she has been impressed by the activism of Griffin and other students. She noted that in her nearly three decades at the institution, issues over smudging have arisen at least three times, but this is the first time students have been so forceful in making administrators listen to their concerns.
“I think this is a big step, and they’ve come a long way.”
Cloud, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, is currently in the process of gathering data on how many current Indian students at the institution practice smudging. She said that the name collection will help administrators be in contact with students who wish to use the planned private room and to alert them of future decisions on smudging.
Cloud added that there still needs to be a lot of education for non-Natives on what smudging is and for Native students on how to do it properly.
She said, too, that she worries that some Native students have gotten so caught up with fighting for what they believe is right that she worries that their education could be affected.
“I’m always supportive of students to keep on trying. … but I don’t want them to put so much time and effort into it that they’re going to lose track of doing a good job in school.”
The emphasis on smudging became a hot issue on campus earlier this year after a freshman Native student was made to feel uncomfortable about smudging on campus.
In October, the institution’s student government passed a statute making clear that the federal government protects indigenous culture, customs and religious practices as outlined in the American Indian Religious Freedom Act.
It also noted that some Native students smudge as a part of their religious practices, and called on the university to uphold federal law by supporting safe spaces for all students.
Thursday, Aug 13 at 10:00 AM nini wrote ...
I am cheering you on!!! when I lived on campus in Texas there was no tobbaco allowed at all this was a trip to me but there wernt any other native students or students interested in changing this so I am with you all the way...this is really non sense people need to realize we have our own ways and rights and they need to respect it its hard enough to look around at the earth and see it melt away due to ignorence...you got enough from bbeing greedy leave us to our way!!!
27693779 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Wednesday, Jul 22 at 11:21 PM Sister & Friend wrote ...
You might try calling Northern Michigan University's NSOrg. Many blessings to you at UWisc. Stevens Point.
26599149 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Friday, Jun 26 at 10:47 AM Greg Fish wrote ...
Fight the power.
25011654 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Tuesday, Dec 9 at 2:57 AM toostupidto notgoupinflames wrote ...
There be some compromise. I suggest there be a fire team (emergency religion! lol) trained peers who smudge too on call at all times on campus. They could bring an extinguisher. When the student wishes to smudge, they have to go to the room, make sure the student not on fire, wait outside student's door and then go in and ensure all clear. Give the students a seminar on fire safety for a day I know sounds rediculous but how things work. could find solution if they wanted not treat us stupid
13342989 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Friday, Dec 5 at 1:46 AM DDM wrote ...
Couldn't they at least come up with a compromise, where in smudging would be allowed if and only if there were fire extinguishers in the rooms?
13178014 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Friday, Dec 5 at 12:06 AM Carla Dodson wrote ...
Sage mist is available in a spray bottle.It is clean and doesn't set your smoke alarm off.Soldiers in the Army use it a lot, they have the same restrictions in barracks as dorms.
13175999 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Thursday, Dec 4 at 12:40 PM Joan wrote ...
I know how you feel, when i was going to school, at the Point, It was in the early 80's and I also was accused of smoking pot. I had to show the wing supervisor and the dorm director exactly what i had and what i used it for. I was still not believed and felt ashamed to use this because of the accusations. I know that it does help especially new native students who never been away from home. There has to be a solution to smudge a room for them. you will figure it out!!!
13146829 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Wednesday, Dec 3 at 11:10 PM James Carrell wrote ...
There are thinkers, and there are doers, may the spirits grant you the wisdom to be both. I remember being in school in the 90s. Most of my friends understood why I wore my hair in braids, and why I wore feathers in my hair. Even when I chose to wear body adornments, my friends understood. The only ones that really gave me flack were those that would be considered "cowboys". I just smiled at them and let them be. I send you many blessings. I pray that your task will be successful.
13126074 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Wednesday, Dec 3 at 3:41 PM Michael Owens wrote ...
Their trying to take their Heritage away. Some will do that if possible. Get up petitions what ever it takes to do the right thing in a loven way God would have wonted us to do.
13107239 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Wednesday, Dec 3 at 10:28 AM David Velarde Jr wrote ...
What a bunch of crock, the students should be allowed to smudge.
13089584 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Tuesday, Dec 2 at 4:25 PM Aatiite Ikwe wrote ...
I attended UW-Stevens Point in the early 1990's. I was just 18 years old, never lived away from my parents. It was very scary for me. So, I smudged my dorm room and was accused of smoking marijuana in my room. I couldn't smudge after that. They do not UNDERSTAND that smudging is very spiritual and it really does have healing powers. I do not agree with standing outside to smudge. The purpose of my smudging was to cleanse my room and myself. Miigwech nindinaawemaaganag!
13056179 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Tuesday, Dec 2 at 2:57 PM Rebecca D. Alegria wrote ...
I would expect nothing less coming from a Menominee Warrior.
13050464 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Tuesday, Dec 2 at 10:18 AM Rory Griffin wrote ...
I am very grateful for all the support for this issue and I am hoping that someone in Congress or other authority will be able to help in this process for all Native American Students who are still fighting oppression in the school systems of the United States. Please pass this article to everyone in the State of Wisconsin congress, so we can finally put an end to assimilation of Native American Religions.
13030199 Inappropriate? Alert Us!Add a comment
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