Ceremonial Burning and Smudging Policy (DRAFT)

Purpose:

Winona State University is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion that promotes a positive campus climate for all. The university recognizes sage, sweetgrass, and other plants and resins as traditional medicines of Indigenous and other communities and essential elements for religious and cultural practice and ceremony.

The university is committed to providing a pathway for university students, employees, volunteers, and invited guests who wish to practice ceremonial burning or smudging. This policy aims to facilitate ceremonial burning and smudging while addressing concerns related to health concerns around smoke, smoke odor, and fire safety.

This policy is meant to provide direction to the university community in requesting and engaging in these traditions while respecting all campus community members and visitors.

Scope:

This policy applies to all facilities owned by the State of Minnesota, through Winona State University, or under the responsibility of Winona State University, regardless of funding source used for construction, operation, and maintenance.

Policy:

Only students, employees, volunteers, or invited guests may practice ceremonial burning or smudging on university-owned or -controlled property. All other persons are prohibited from practicing ceremonial burning or smudging.

Burning of herbs or resins is allowed at designated indoor locations and all outdoor locations on campus. Ceremony organizers shall reserve space through EMS for indoor spaces and request use of outdoor space and receive authorization from the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management.

This policy shall control in the event of any conflict with the 8-3: Smoking/Smokeless Tobacco Usage Policy Regulation.

Refer to 2.XA Ceremonial Burning and Smudging Procedure that delineates expectations and flexibility in usage, locations, and notifications to promote an inclusive, open, and respectful campus climate for our diverse community members and guests.

Related documents:

• Minnesotate State System Board Policy 3.1 Students Rights & Responsibilities
• Minnesota State University Smoking & Tobacco Use Policy
• The American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA)
• Minnesota Clean Air Act (Minnesota Statues 2023) 144.4167
• Minnesota Clean Air Act (Minnesota Statues 2023) 144.4165

Related definitions:

Ceremonial Burning:

Practices involving the controlled use of smoke for cultural, educational, spiritual or religious purposes, including but not limited to the burning of herbs, incense, or other materials.

Smudging:

A form of Ceremonial Burning typically involving Indigenous practices incorporating the ignition, smoldering and use of smoke from sage, sweetgrass, copal, cedar, tobacco, and other related medicinal plants as elements of purification and or other sacred ceremony.

History:

Adoption date:
Implementation date: