University of Waterloo staff performing a smudge ceremony in the Indigenous Relations office

Indoor Smudging

Guidelines for Indoor Smudging

Working with Plant Operations, the Office of Indigenous Relations has a directory of rooms that have been tested and approved and do not require any system by-passing prior to smudging. If your desired space is listed, no further forms are required. Please continue to post a Notice of Smudging sign outside of the space, follow all regular safety procedures, and be mindful of those around you. 

If your desired smudge space is not list, please complete the Smudge Request Form. Once your requested area has been approved, please post a “Notice of Smudging” sign outside of the space, continue to follow all regular safety procedures, and be mindful of those around you.  

Reminder, if you are smudging at an event with 75 or more people, a fire extinguisher must be on site.

Smudge Permit Guidelines for Large Events (75+ attendees)

For events with 75+ attendees, a fire extinguisher is required, as per the UW Safety Office. Upon approval of your smudging request form, Plant Operations will send a work order/request for a fire extinguisher to the Tool Room. It is the event organizers responsibility to obtain the extinguisher prior to the event.  

Tool Room information: 

Location: General Services Complex (GSC) 1st Floor 

Hours: Monday – Friday 
6:00am – 9:30am 
9:45am – 11:30am 
12:00pm – 2:00pm 
2:15pm – 4:00pm 

The event organizer may sign out the fire extinguisher one business day ahead of the event, and may return it one business day after the even

Fire Safety

While performing indoor smudging, event organizers are required to know the location of: 

  • Fire extinguisher (required to be onsite at an event with 75 or more people) 

  • The nearest fire alarm pull stations 

  • Emergency exits and alternate exit routes 

  • Nearby combustible materials 

Fire safety requirements 

  • Do not leave burning material unattended 

  • Extinguish the burning plant material after the conclusion of the smudging ceremony 

  • Keep any embers in a heat proof container until cold to the touch before discarding 

In the event of a fire, please refer to the Safety Office fire safety website.   

Signage

Upon approval of your smudge request permit, please print and fill out the Notice of Smudging Poster and display it outside of the area you will be smudging in.  

You do not need a sign for rooms that are pre-approved for smudging. 

For additional support, questions and comments, please email indigenousrelations@uwaterloo.ca

Notice of Smudging - Special Event/Occasional Signage

Please print and fill out this "Notice of Smudging" poster, and display it outside and around the area where you will be smudging in before your event begins.

 Notice of Smudging - Special Event/Occasional Signage

Notice of Smudging - Regular Occurrence Signage

If you smudge regularly in your pre-approved space, please print and display this "Notice of Smudging" sign, outside your space.

It is recommended that you welcome questions from those around you regarding smudging, and if you would like support in those discussions, please reach out to us at indigenousrelations@uwaterloo.ca.

 Notice of Smudging - Regular Occurrence Signage