The use of tobacco was also another major religious symbol. Tobacco was a key religious element in the religious practices. The tobacco symbolized honesty; honesty between two people talking or talking to the spirit world. The tobacco was said to go ahead of a request, prayer, or question that will be received in a peaceful way. When making a request, tobacco is the most honorable and respectful way of presenting your request (Flett).
Sacred Tobacco is one of the four sacred medicines of the Anishinaabe People.
(excerpt from Anishnawbe Health Toronto informational pdf)
“Tobacco is the first plant that the Creator gave to Native people. It is the main activator of all the plant spirits. Three other plants, sage, cedar and sweetgrass, follow tobacco, and together they are referred to as the four sacred medicines. The four sacred medicines are used in everyday life and in ceremonies. All of them can be used to smudge with, though sage, cedar and sweetgrass also have many other uses. .. TOBACCO Traditional people say that tobacco is always first. It is used as an offering for everything and in every ceremony. “Always through tobacco,” the saying goes. Traditional tobacco was given to us so that we can communicate with the spirit world. It opens up the door to allow that communication to take place. When we make an offering of tobacco, we communicate our thoughts and feelings through the tobacco as we pray for ourselves, our family, relatives and others.”
People often take and hold tobacco in their left hand, as this is the hand closest to one’s heart. As with any prayer or ceremony, it is important to not use traditional tobacco if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you make a request with tobacco, make sure to let the person or persons know your request before handing them your tobacco, so they have the right to respectively decline, if need be. Finally, tobacco was given as gift to the people to help, heal, and walk in a good way. For this reason, it is important to never use tobacco while carrying bad thoughts in your heart or head. Likewise, our prayers should never be malicious or harmful, only positive and benevolent. GLITC.org booklet