Protocols for Approaching Elders

 

• Tobacco

• Prints

• Gifts

• Honorariums

 

When approaching an Elder for ceremonies or counselling it important to follow protocols:

• The most common protocol is to gift the Elder with tobacco for basic ceremonies such as counselling and smudge.

• For more elaborate ceremonies such as pipe ceremonies or Inibi (sweat lodge)…etc. You may need to offer more than tobacco. Some of these would be prints(broadcloth 1.5m)or silk ribbon(1/2inch, 1.5m)and a gift and money.

• It all depends on you and what you are asking for and its worth to you.

• It is not uncommon to gift a horse or horses in a Sundance. There have been people that have offered $10,000.00 to dance in a Sundance and there are people that have gifted $6,000.00 for an Aboriginal name.

• There are also people who will not accept any protocol.

 

​