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Shaman Herbs SWEETGRASS

© Andrea Ellis

Sweetgrass is the herb I’ve chosen for my next Shaman herb. Where I live on the west coast of BC Sweetgrass does not grow and I didn’t know too much about this plant until last week. I’ve seen Sweetgrass ropes for sale in stores around Vancouver, but never been drawn to purchase any. I’ve always collected my own herbs when I can and the ropes of grass that cost $5 just didn’t appeal to me. Yet Sweetgrass entered my life in an amazing way and I wish to share with you the beauty of this rare and gentle plant.

I am writing this article from my family home in Ontario where I am visiting my sister. When I first arrived jet lagged and tired from the plane my sister informed me that we had to drive to Owen Sound four hours away for a Grey Bruce Power Council meeting(they promote the use of green energy in south western Ontario). It was at this meeting where, falling asleep, we were told about a meeting of the “Bruce Peninsula Environment Group” who were having a walk and talk with native elders at a place called Cape Croker on the Bruce Peninsula. We decided this was something we could not miss. So with creative directions from Kevin (Hi), my sister Christine, my cousin Tonya and myself set off for Cape Croker the next afternoon.

A little bit about Logistics. Owen sound is on the north eastern shore of lake Huron roughly a four-hour drive northwest of Toronto. The Bruce peninsula separates lake Huron from Georgian Bay and attaches at the main land right were Owen Sound is. Cape Croker is on the northern side of the peninsula. It is mostly reservation land and has a very beautiful park and camping area that is well worth the visit. Map to Cape Croker

At this walk and talk we learned a great many things about the Ojibway in this area, including a beautiful piece of Tree wisdom, which I’m saving to write about in the fall *Grin. At the end of the talk one of the elders walked up to my cousin and I and handed us both ropes of Sweetgrass. “These are for you,” he said with a friendly smile. “Thank you very much,” was all I could reply. This was a very special gift, something that I will treasure always and I was too overwhelmed to say anything else.