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Keep Tobacco Sacred

Tobacco is a sacred plant, gifted to us by the Creator.

Photo of Tobacco Warrior Vanessa Kyme-Gilbert holding a small red pouch of Sacred Tobacco

Tobacco has been used in ceremonies, healing, and other practices for thousands of years.

Did you know that tobacco is sacred in many Indigenous cultures, used in ceremonies and spiritual practices?

Commercial tobacco products (like cigarettes and chewing tobacco), and nicotine vaping products are harmful and have no place in Indigenous practices and ceremonies.

We're working with communities to connect Elders, Knowledge Teachers, and Youth. Join us, and let’s protect the sacred use of tobacco and raise awareness about the dangers of commercial tobacco.

Photo of a bundle of freshly harvested tobacco leaves

Guided By Our Elders

Group Photo of Keep Tobacco Sacred Elders in convention hall

About the Keep Tobacco Sacred Collaboration

Vision

Empowered and healthy Indigenous communities, connected through culture and through emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Mission

To support cultural connectedness and healing through Sacred Tobacco, to improve health outcomes in Indigenous communities.

Purpose

Empowering Elders and Knowledge Teachers to engage and support youth through Sacred Tobacco cultural knowledge revitalization and preventing use of commercial tobacco and vaping products.

Our Journey

Establishing the Spirit of Our Work in a Good Way

News and Events

Graphic displaying information for National Gathering of Elders event

National Gathering of Elders Kanata

2025-09-29 08:00:00

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2025-10-02 17:00:00

Photo of Cedar Tree Needles with text "It's Time"overlaying it

IT'S TIME Training

2025-05-27 08:30:00

IT’S TIME is a free 2-day workshop for wellness workers from communities across Treaty 6, Treaty 7, Treaty 8, and the homeland of the Métis peoples. It focuses on culturally based ways to help people quit smoking commercial tobacco products (like cigarettes).

2025 Youth Teepee Summit

2025-07-29 00:00:00

The Youth Teepee Summit brings together Indigenous youth from across the province to connect, participate in cultural, physical and educational activities, and interact with inspirational Elders and speakers.

Our Team

Charlene Bruno

Community Engagement Specialist

Dr. Brent Friesen

Medical Officer of Health

Les Hagen

Action on Smoking & Health

Narissa Kanji

Alberta Blue Cross

Marjorie Luzentales-Simpson

Indigenous Wellness Core

Darrel Melvin

Tobacco, Vaping & Cannabis Program

Michelle Nummi

Tobacco, Vaping & Cannabis Program

Madelyne Porter

Tobacco, Vaping & Cannabis Program

Dr. Kate Storey

University of Alberta

Sarah Waters

Indigenous Wellness Core

Angeline Webb

Canadian Cancer Society

Kienan Williams

Indigenous Wellness Core

Corporate Sponsors

Health Partners

Thank You to Those Who Have Walked the Path with Us

Treffrey Deerfoot

Treffrey Deerfoot

Angela Erza

Angela Erza

Len Frank

Len Frank

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