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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.
Line art smoke icon
Icon of four hands clasping wrists to form a square

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.
Icon of hands cradling a floating tobacco leaf

Our Journey

Establishing the Spirit of Our Work in a Good Way

News and Events

Youth Empowerment Conference Event Announcement Graphic

Youth Empowerment Conference

2025-03-07 13:00:00
This event is free and open to all youth ages 8-18 and promises to be a weekend full of inspiration, fun, and growth! Whether you're looking to connect with others, […]
Learn More
Photo of Cedar Tree Needles with text "It's Time"overlaying it

IT'S TIME Training

2025-12-31 23:59:00
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).
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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

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Angela Erza

Angela Erza

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Len Frank

Len Frank

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Follow Us On Social Media

Instagram

@keep_tobacco_sacred
Need help quitting? The AlbertaQuits Helpline is a free, confidential counselling service to help adults (18+) quit smoking or vaping. It’s open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and has translation services for 23 Indigenous languages. To reach the AlbertaQuits Helpline, call 1-866-710-7848 (toll-free in Alberta). You can also fill out an online self-referral form and a quit counsellor will follow-up with you. #keeptobaccosacred

Need help quitting?

The AlbertaQuits Helpline is a free, confidential counselling service to help adults (18+) quit smoking or vaping. It’s open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and has translation services for 23 Indigenous languages.

To reach the AlbertaQuits Helpline, call 1-866-710-7848 (toll-free in Alberta). You can also fill out an online self-referral form and a quit counsellor will follow-up with you.

#keeptobaccosacred

We can learn about Sacred Tobacco together: https://vimeo.com/821105925 . #keeptobaccosacred

We can learn about Sacred Tobacco together: https://vimeo.com/821105925 .

#keeptobaccosacred

What do Elders say about Sacred Tobacco and harmful commercial tobacco? Watch this video and hear from our Elders: https://vimeo.com/807599398. #keeptobaccosacred

What do Elders say about Sacred Tobacco and harmful commercial tobacco?

Watch this video and hear from our Elders: https://vimeo.com/807599398.

#keeptobaccosacred

The Keep Tobacco Sacred Collaboration was formed to help Elders and Knowledge Teachers educate Indigenous youth about the cultural significance and traditional use of Sacred Tobacco. Our goal is to prevent commercial tobacco use among Indigenous youth through connection with Elders and Knowledge Teachers. First Nations Elders, Knowledge Teachers and Tobacco Warriors, along with public health partners and sponsors, are working together to create fair, sustainable, and community-driven resources. These help promote culturally grounded approaches that build on community strengths. Learn more: www.keeptobaccosacred.ca #keeptobaccosacred

The Keep Tobacco Sacred Collaboration was formed to help Elders and Knowledge Teachers educate Indigenous youth about the cultural significance and traditional use of Sacred Tobacco.

Our goal is to prevent commercial tobacco use among Indigenous youth through connection with Elders and Knowledge Teachers.

First Nations Elders, Knowledge Teachers and Tobacco Warriors, along with public health partners and sponsors, are working together to create fair, sustainable, and community-driven resources. These help promote culturally grounded approaches that build on community strengths.

Learn more: www.keeptobaccosacred.ca

#keeptobaccosacred

Sacred Tobacco is natural and used with respect and gratitude in its pure form. Commercial tobacco (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and nicotine vapes) is highly processed with chemicals and additives that can cause addiction and harm. Learn more: www.keeptobaccosacred.ca #keeptobaccosacred

Sacred Tobacco is natural and used with respect and gratitude in its pure form.

Commercial tobacco (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and nicotine vapes) is highly processed with chemicals and additives that can cause addiction and harm.

Learn more: www.keeptobaccosacred.ca

#keeptobaccosacred

“...it's got to be based on the traditional teachings of our forefathers that tobacco is sacred. It's not to be abused. We did not abuse it, it's the settler society that abused it, turned into a money-making venture.” - Elder Dr. Andrew Bear Robe  Watch more: https://youtu.be/ItjXaRa_UgU?feature=shared #keeptobaccosacred

“...it's got to be based on the traditional teachings of our forefathers that tobacco is sacred. It's not to be abused. We did not abuse it, it's the settler society that abused it, turned into a money-making venture.” - Elder Dr. Andrew Bear Robe 

Watch more: https://youtu.be/ItjXaRa_UgU?feature=shared

#keeptobaccosacred