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On July 28th, I had the privilege of joining a group from Regina for sage-picking. This was more than just a day in the field; it was a deeply educational and spiritual experience, rooted in respect for Mother Earth.
Before we set out, Kokum Susan Beaudin gathered us together and shared teachings about the importance of caring for the land. She reminded us that Mother Earth sustains us, providing food, herbs, fruits, and healing plants. In return, we must approach her with humility, gratitude, and responsibility.
Dressed in orange shirts and ribbon skirts, we stood in remembrance of the children who never made it home from residential schools. Our clothing symbolized both our collective mourning and our commitment to truth and reconciliation. Before entering the field, each of us was given tobacco a sacred offering to hold in prayer and connection with the Creator. This was our way of honoring the land and asking for permission to receive its gifts.
Kokum Susan gave clear guidance: we were to take only what we needed, never greedily. We learned to pluck the sage gently by hand or cut it carefully with scissors, taking only the leaves and leaving the stems so they could grow again.
As we moved through the field, picking sage, a song of gratitude rose from our group. Mrs. Phyllis Littltent sang a beautiful song to the Creator, expressing her joy and reverence for the earth and its sacred offerings. Her voice carried across the open space, lifting our spirits and deepening our sense of connection to the land and to each other.
Sage plays a central role in many ceremonies and traditions. We use it for smudging, prayer, and healing whether during church liturgies, circle gatherings, or personal reflection. When we returned home, we were told to begin the process of drying the sage, shaping it into small balls or hanging it carefully to dry on the wall. Sage can also be brewed as a tea, offering medicinal properties that nurture both body and soul.
This experience was a powerful reminder that we must be conscious of the Earth’s resources. It is a precious gift, freely given to all of us. We left not only with sage but also with hearts full of gratitude and a renewed commitment to walk gently on this Earth. It was a lesson in respect, spirituality, and community, a gift I will carry with me. I conclude with a quote from Pope Francis: “We all have the duty to do good.”
Jacinta Dkhar RNDM
