NASO student speaks out on smoke-free initiative

Following the institution of Wayne State’s smoke-free campus initiative, the Native American Student Organization has been unable to utilize the Student Center’s reflection room for a traditional practice called smudging.

Smudging involves the burning of either one or a combination of sacred plants, such as sage, cedar, sweetgrass and tobacco. A spiritual cleanse is thus triggered as thoughts and prayers are carried along by the smoke.

David Pitawanakwat, NASO member and political science major, said the most important way to honor the past and the future is through the practice of traditional ways. The repression of tradition by policy can result in the loss of indigenous identity.

Pitawanakwat said that a lack of exposure to indigenous culture and history exists at Wayne State. It is one of the few major universities in Michigan that lacks a Native American Studies department or programs.

“It must be understood that having to ask permission to practice our traditional ways on our traditional lands is part of the post-historical trauma that the American Indian has endured for over a century,” said Pitawanakwat.

Formal conversation in regards to the new campus smoking policy and the reflection room has not occurred between NASO and WSU administration.

Dean of Students David Strauss said that he was unaware of the situation and that the students have not spoken to him.

According to Pitawanakwat, NASO has engaged in off-the-record dialogue with WSU faculty and administration about the tobacco policy, as well as the desire to have their own room or places where they can smudge indoors.

NASO feels that the university has been very receptive and willing to listen thus far, but no formal or written appeals have been made.

“It is important that WSU have a reflection room which is a safe space on campus where people can go to pray, meditate, and be with their creator,” said Pitawanakwat. “We support this idea and believe that it should be inclusive of all traditions, which includes our Native American smudging practices. If we cannot smudge or offer tobacco to each other in prayer, then our cultural practices are being inhibited on our own homelands.”

NASO hopes that administration will create policies that are inclusive to traditional smudging and pipe ceremony needs. In addition, NASO would like a formal exemption to the tobacco policy that is noted in writing and put on any tobacco-free posters around campus.

“Even though the smoking policy changed for the outdoor space of campus, the smoking policy in the buildings has been the same for many years. All students are welcome to use the reflection room,” said Andrea Gerber, director of Student Center Services.

Gerber said the Student Center’s professional staff members have never been approached regarding the use of smoke in the reflection room, but they would be more than happy to accommodate NASO’s needs.

“It may need to be in a different building or location on campus as the Student Center has a fire suppression system. When smoke is detected in the building, it will activate and dispense thousands of gallons of water,” said Gerber.

Mariam Raheem, a senior chemistry major, goes to the reflection room to pray five times a day. She said that she has noticed that Muslims are the dominant religious group that uses the reflection room. However, she believes that other religious groups should have the right to reflect and pray there as well.

“I think that they [NASO] should be able to use the reflection room for their cultural traditions,” said Raheem. “Space should be made available to them. I mean, this is a public university, and people of all religions should be able to come, practice and get educated.”

NASO plans to advocate on their own behalf by diligently educating the campus community about our their cultural tradition and formalizing their requests in writing to ensure that their needs are addressed in the near future.

For more information, contact reporter Aleanna Siacon at fv7748@wayne.edu or (586)3545040. Follow her on Twitter: @Aterese11

http://www.thesouthend.wayne.edu/news/article_15f2dcc6-9942-11e5-99f3-efb9f1cf4abb.html