Friday September 25, 2026 12:45pm - 1:15pm (30 Minutes)
Workshop / Class Family-Friendly Outdoor Wheelchair Accessible
[email protected]
(902) 542-7668
Sandy-Lynn Fisher, from Glooscap First Nation in the Annapolis Valley, has opened the Deep Roots Festival for the past several years with a traditional Mi’kmaq smudge ceremony and Land Acknowledgement, joined by her daughter Lily-Beth.
Her teachings, passed down by respected Mi’kmaq Elders, emphasize that practices may differ among cultures. Sandy-Lynn keeps her sacred medicines - sweetgrass, sage, tobacco, and cedar - wrapped in red cloth, a colour believed to attract the attention of spirits. Each medicine has its own healing properties and is used for prayer, cleansing negativity, and purifying spaces.
During the ceremony, Sandy-Lynn and Lily-Beth use an eagle feather to smolder the medicines and guide the smoke over the head, ears, eyes, mouth, heart, arms, and legs, symbolizing the cleansing of thoughts, senses, and spirit. Out of respect, participants do not take part if under the influence or during menstruation, as women’s power is believed to influence the medicines.
The ashes are collected in an abalone shell and returned to the earth. Sandy-Lynn is honoured to share her culture at Deep Roots and grateful for the community’s openness and engagement.
[email protected]
(902) 542-7668
Sandy-Lynn Fisher, from Glooscap First Nation in the Annapolis Valley, has opened the Deep Roots Festival for the past several years with a traditional Mi’kmaq smudge ceremony and Land Acknowledgement, joined by her daughter Lily-Beth.
Her teachings, passed down by respected Mi’kmaq Elders, emphasize that practices may differ among cultures. Sandy-Lynn keeps her sacred medicines - sweetgrass, sage, tobacco, and cedar - wrapped in red cloth, a colour believed to attract the attention of spirits. Each medicine has its own healing properties and is used for prayer, cleansing negativity, and purifying spaces.
During the ceremony, Sandy-Lynn and Lily-Beth use an eagle feather to smolder the medicines and guide the smoke over the head, ears, eyes, mouth, heart, arms, and legs, symbolizing the cleansing of thoughts, senses, and spirit. Out of respect, participants do not take part if under the influence or during menstruation, as women’s power is believed to influence the medicines.
The ashes are collected in an abalone shell and returned to the earth. Sandy-Lynn is honoured to share her culture at Deep Roots and grateful for the community’s openness and engagement.
Admission
Pricing: Free
Waterfront Park
| Other Events at Waterfront Park |
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| Fri Jul 17, 6pm Salsa by the Sea |
| Fri Jul 24, 6pm Salsa by the Sea |
| Sat Jul 25, 11am KIPAWO 100 Community Celebrations! |
| Sun Jul 26, 2pm Ptarmageddon - Wolfville Summer Concert Series |
| Wed Jul 29, 8:15pm Full Moon Watch and Walk |
| Fri Jul 31, 6pm Salsa by the Sea |
| Sun Aug 2, 2pm Cherie and Friends - Wolfville Summer Concert Series |
| Fri Aug 7, 6pm Salsa by the Sea |
| Sun Aug 9, 2pm Frank Sultana and Jon Hines - Wolfville Summer Concert Series |
| Fri Aug 14, 6pm Salsa by the Sea |
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