Sage harvested for patient care

Over the past two months, traditional medicines for patients in need have been gathered in Saskatchewan to provide comfort to patients.

First Nations and Métis Health (FNMH) teams in Saskatoon and Regina have harvested sage, one of the four sacred First Nations medicines, twice this summer.

“Usually, individuals pick their own medicines,” explained Holden Cronin, manager with First Nations and Métis Health in Regina. “But people in the hospital can’t do that. When we pick, we pick for our patients, so they have access to traditional medicines they need while in hospital.”

Sage is used in smudging ceremonies, for spiritual cleansing and to help people connect to the Creator. First Nations and Métis Health   teams also make and use sage spray, noted Paula Jacobs, manager of First Nations and Métis Health in Saskatoon.

“Families ask for the spray when their loved one is on life support and smudging isn’t possible,” explained Colleen Chief, Knowledge Keeper and Cultural Support Worker with First Nations and Métis Health in Saskatoon.

Members of First Nations and Métis Health teams in Saskatoon and Regina scouted areas for sage and made offerings to those who allowed them to harvest there.

“A nurse at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, Samantha, was more than happy and willing to provide her space for the sage harvest this year,” said Jacobs.

They follow traditional ceremonies when gathering the medicine.

“Before we work with the plants, we smudge ourselves,” explained Leo Yahyahkeekoot, Knowledge Keeper and Cultural Support Worker in Saskatoon.

Smudging is just one of many cultural supports offered by the First Nations and Métis Health team, who embed the SHA’s CARES values of compassion, accountability, respect, equity, and safety, in all they do.

Teams from Saskatoon and Regina harvested sage using traditional methods over the summer. The sacred medicine will be used to comfort patients and families throughout the rest of the year.