Medicine Garden

Ceremonial Tobacco

Offering tobacco as a gift is a sign of respect when asking for assistance, guidance, or protection. One can offer tobacco in many situations, including to the Earth when planting or harvesting, to the water to ask for a safe boat journey, or to elders when requesting their knowledge or counsel. Traditionally tobacco has also been smoked to seal peace treaties and bargains, or to end disagreements.

Ceremonial Sage

Sage is often used in the practice of smudging, a ceremony used for spiritual cleansing and the blessing of people and places. During smudging, ceremonial herbs are burned in an abalone shell or as a bundle to clear away negative energy and spirits. The ritual is often performed at the beginning of gatherings and ceremonies to create a sacred space, set a positive tone, and invite positive energy.

Black Oak "volunteer"

This strong little seedling chose to grow in the Medicine Garden. It's especially fitting to see oak trees on the Heritage Site because this land was once an oak barren. According to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, "Oak barrens are a fire-dependent savanna type dominated by oaks, having between 5 and 60% canopy, with or without a shrub layer. Black oak (Quercus velutina) and white oak (Q. alba) typically dominate the scattered overstory. Oak barrens are found on droughty soils and occur typically on nearly level to slightly undulating glacial outwash in southern Lower Michigan."