Sacred Tobacco
Our Gift Has Become Our Death!

American Indians have used native tobacco for thousands of years. Many tribes consider tobacco a sacred gift from Creator. The interpretation, symbolism and purposes of ceremonial tobacco is as a varied in understanding as there are tribal nations. Tobacco is an offering, sacrifice blessing, or medicine. Our gift has become our death.

Native tobacco is foremost a medicine. Medicine is something that affects well being. When used in a prescribed way it can improve ones health and assist with spiritual guidance and growth. Traditions vary from tribe to tribe. Some tribes have other medicine plants used in the same way as tobacco.

When non-Indians refer to the "use of tobacco" they actually refer to the Abuse Of Tobacco. Tobacco abuse is the recreational use of processed tobacco products that is harmful to a persons health. The use of tobacco to traditional American Indian people is not the same as abuse. There are rules that are applied to the traditional use of tobacco and must be followed or the user will experience harmful spiritual or physical consequences.

There are no health risks involved when tobacco is used in a sacred and respectful manner. Traditional practices of tobacco include ways that do not involve smoking it and never chewing or holding it in the mouth. Tobacco is used as a sign of respect. Native tobacco is used as an offering when praying to and conversing with Creator. It is placed in a fire while praying and the smoke carries prayers to the spirit world. When a person wishes to be attended by a traditional healer, tobacco is offered with the request. Tobacco is offered to the earth on occasion to pay respect to ancestors. And it can be used for spiritual protection in ceremony.

Tobacco teaches Indian people about themselves. The discipline it teaches and the respect it demands helps and individual grow to be a good person.

It is believed that the attitude of those who raise and cultivate tobacco for profit is one of greed. The manifestation of this greed is evident in the way tobacco is abused by Indians and non-Indians alike. The harmful consequence of this lack of caring is the cancer and other diseases as a result of tobacco abuse.

In America 1,000 people die every day from smoking manufactured tobacco. Twenty nine percent of non-Indians now smoke compared to 40 percent of American Indian men and 28 percent of American Indian women who smoke. More Indian people are being treated for emphysema, asthma, head and neck cancers, and coronary heart disease. Children of smokers are more likely to develop respiratory problems. Our gift has become our death. Never abuse the sacred.

Contact these organizations for statistical data, teaching curriculum, creative education ideas and more. They are nice folks working for our better health and knowledge.

Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council Tobacco Projects

Box 9

Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538

phone:715-588-3324 (talk to Don Carufel)

Arizona Dept. of Health Services Tobacco Education and Prevention Program

1651 E. Morten Ave. #110

Phoenix, AZ 85020

phone: 602-870-3145 (talk to Peter Kelly)

Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board/Tobacco Prevention

Berkshire Plaza #205

405 8th Ave., NW

Aberdeen, SD 57401

phone:605-229-3846 (talk to Shannon Lance)

American Indian Education Network

California Rural Indian Health Board

1451 River Park Dr. #220

Sacremento, CA 95815

phone: 916-929-9761 (talk to Mark LeBeau or Gerry RainingBird)

Return to top...