UNBC’s Health Services hosted a booth demonstrating the traditional use of tobacco by indigenous people

This year’s National Aboriginal Day celebrations showcased the cultural practices of local First Nations, Metis and Inuit groups

UNBC’s Health Services hosted a booth demonstrating the traditional use of tobacco by indigenous people

“We’ve never actually smoked tobacco – it’s what we use when we’re picking our medicines. There’s absolutely no chemicals. The nicotine component is a lot less because traditional tobacco was never smoked.” – Lynette LaFontaine, Registered Nurse

For indigenous people, tobacco has a spiritual purpose in healing and cleansing rituals

It is a plant to be respected and consumed only for specific purposes