Smudge Ceremony with Elder Wanda First Rider  

Jun 23, 2026

On May 14, participants in CMHA Calgary’s Women of Courage (WoC) program gathered for a Smudge Ceremony led by Elder Wanda First Rider. The workshop created space for healing, learning, and connection.  

Elder Wanda First Rider has lived in Moh’kinstsis (Calgary) for over 50 years and has dedicated much of her life to community work, cultural teachings, and supporting others through healing and connection. Throughout her career, she has worked with numerous organizations across the city while sharing Indigenous knowledge within the community.  

The ceremony invited participants to explore smudging as a practice that supports overall well-being, including emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental wellness. It was important to include Indigenous ways of knowing throughout the Women of Courage curriculum to help participants deepen their understanding of healing, support, and community care. 

At the beginning of the workshop, Elder Wanda introduced herself in Blackfoot, Pukaki, meaning “Little Woman.” She spoke openly about being taken from her family at four and a half years old and forbidden from speaking her language while attending residential school. Reclaiming language, ceremony, and teachings later in life became an important part of her healing journey.  

“I speak my language because it gives me confidence. It reconnects me to who I am as a Blackfoot woman, and it’s important for people to hear our Indigenous languages.” 

Throughout the session, Elder Wanda shared teachings about circles and connection within Indigenous worldviews. She explained how circles represent the stages of life, the four directions, the seasons, and the understanding that all living things are connected. Participants learned how circles remind us that we are all related, not only to one another, but to the land, animals, water, and spirit world as well.  

“When we sit in a circle, we become sisters and relatives. We’re reminded that we are all connected not only to one another, but to the land, the water, the animals, and spirit as well.” 

She also shared teachings about traditional Blackfoot territory, tipi teachings, and the importance of oral storytelling. Elder Wanda described how Indigenous knowledge has been carried through generations through oral storytelling, with community members serving as witnesses to help preserve knowledge and truth. She spoke about the stars, the cosmos, and how teachings connected to the land and sky continue to guide Indigenous ways of knowing today.  

Participants were introduced to sacred medicines used in smudging, including sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and tobacco. Elder Wanda explained that sage is used to help clear negative energy and challenges, while sweetgrass reminds people to move forward with hope, compassion, love, and balance. She also shared how these medicines can support emotional, spiritual, and physical wellness, and how smudging can help people feel grounded and connected.  

The workshop held deep meaning for many participants. One person shared that the experience made them feel “more connected to Indigenous culture” and encouraged them “to want to tap into [their own] culture more.” Another reflected on feeling “empowered and moved by Elder Wanda’s teachings,” while also feeling connected to “the community of women” around them. Others described feeling “bonded and nurtured,” “included and informed,” and “more connected to each other”.   

Participants also reflected on what healing and community mean in their own lives. One participant described healing as “a non-linear personal holistic journey of rediscovery,” while another shared that healing means “being rooted in community and connection.” Others reflected on the importance of acceptance, support, and learning from one another, with one participant writing that healing and community mean “working together, celebrating each other’s differences, and being open to new cultures, faiths and beliefs.”  

“A lot of these ceremonies have to do with healing and helping ourselves. Learning our teachings, our language, and our ways of knowing helps us move forward on our healing journeys.” 

Many Women of Courage participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn directly from Elder Wanda and to spend time listening, reflecting, and connecting in community together.  

The Smudge Ceremony invited participants to cleanse themselves with the medicines while reflecting on gratitude, healing, and intention. Elder Wanda offered prayers for kindness, compassion, safety, and healing for everyone in the circle and beyond, including those experiencing homelessness, hardship, and isolation.  

During the development of the WoC program, Noor Abdulbaki, Team Lead for Women of Courage, worked alongside with Elder Wanda to learn more about how Indigenous teachings could support both Indigenous and non-Indigenous women navigating healing, peer support, and experiences related to gender-based violence. That collaboration helped shape opportunities for participants to learn through teachings grounded in connection, respect, culture, and community. 

At CMHA Calgary, WoC creates opportunities for women to build connection, confidence, and community while exploring healing in ways that feel meaningful and supportive. We are deeply grateful to Elder Wanda First Rider for sharing her teachings and lived experience with such care, honesty, and generosity.