Dear Foundational Knowledge Readers,

Giving tobacco to an Elder or knowledge keeper is the protocols we do when getting asked to do a certain task.

At times accompanying that tobacco is the cloth prints of certain colours. The colours of the prints have certain meanings to them. When giving tobacco and prints....you are asking for certain prayers where they will take these prints into ceremony such as a sweat lodge or sun dance.

The Elder will take these prints into ceremony and pray for the prayers that you have asked. They hang these prints in certain cardinal directions based on the colours and a whole ceremony is done to pray and bless those prints you gave.

It's a big task for a knowledge keeper and Elder to go through this process for what is being asked.

It's important to know these things before you approach an Elder. Most times in schools though protocol is given for an Elder or knowledge keeper to transfer foundational knowledge to the admin or to students.

These often come in the form of storytelling, display of knowledge, or a hands on activity.

You will want to know what it is you are specifically asking for prior to giving protocol.

For example) if you want storytelling from an Elder.

You would approach the Elder and introduce yourself just like any other healthy conversation. Explain what the event is about and why you invited the Elder to your place.

Then ask them specifically what it is you would like them to do for your event or ceremony. Ask for prayers, for deliver of knowledge, for storytelling or whatever it is you want them to do.

Then let them know this tobacco is your offering to them in exchange for this knowledge.

If they accept it, they are letting you know they can deliver what it is that you are asking of them.

Now realize this is only the first offering.

Back in the day, after the task was done, gifts were presented to that Elder or Knowledge keeper in exchange for their services.

Many families would give all they could in exchange for the services rendered. Some gave their buffalo robes, their horses, jewelry, freshly made moccasin, medicines, food, etc.

You got to think as an organization, what can you give. What is it worth to you to have this Elder or Knowledge keeper give knowledge that they spent their whole life acquiring.

This question needs to be answered by your organization.

For our Powwow Times Powwow we give as much as we can, blankets, gifts, money, and do the best we can at that time.

We give our thanks to our Elders and knowledge keepers because what they do, they spent a lifetime learning to be there to do the task.

Hope this helps when it comes to protocols.

Sincerely,