Recommendations

Why Offer a Gift of Tobacco

Offering tobacco in the form of a tobacco tie is a custom that is shared by many Indigenous peoples. Tobacco is offered for many reasons and in many different contexts.
It is appropriate when asking for assistance or teaching from an Indigenous Elder, Knowledge Carrier or person to offer tobacco. When the person accepts the tobacco, they are agreeing to help in some way. Offering tobacco is a respectful way of asking for assistance and not as symbol of gratitude after help is provided.
When someone accepts tobacco they are agreeing to listen openly and without judgement and to support you as best they can.
It is appropriate to offer tobacco when asking for a song, an opening prayer, a teaching, Indigenous knowledge, or for advice. This should not replace remuneration or honoraria.

How to Make a Tobacco Tie

1. Acquire Tobacco: Finding traditional ceremonial tobacco is the best option, however it is okay to offer no additive loose tobacco. You can purchase traditional ceremonial tobacco online or loose tobacco from a tobacco store. We recommend Mother Earth Tobacco. 
2. Obtain Cloth: Buy fabric to make your tobacco tie, preferably in colours such as red, yellow, white, green, purple or blue. You can purchase cotton cloth from a fabric store.
3. Preparing the Tobacco Offering: The person making the request should prepare the tobacco tie or pouch. As you prepare the offering, it is important to think about what you are requesting, and to have good thoughts while you prepare the tobacco tie.
   1. Preparing the tobacco tie:
      • Cut your fabric in a square (4 inches by 4 inches)
      • Put a small amount of tobacco in the centre of the cloth
      • Fold all the ends of the cloth together
      • Tie the tobacco with a piece of yarn or twine; you can also cut a strip of the fabric to make a tie
4. Making an Offering: Offer the tobacco tie or pouch at the start of your RBE or VBE. 
   1. For an RBE, offer the tobacco tie, pouch or carton by holding it in your left hand, palm up and open in front of you. State the reason for the gift (be specific), and if the person accepts your request, and if the person accepts the tobacco, they will take it from you with thanks.
   2. For a VBE, please mail the tobacco to 26121A - PR210, Landmark, MB, R0A 0X0, then at the beginning of the VBE indicate that the tobacco has been sent by mail to BTH.
5. An example of what to say when making your request and offering tobacco:
   1. "I am offering you this tobacco for the teachings being presented today."

Policies

Accepted Methods of Payment

Deposits are to be received 7 days prior to the blanket exercise date.
Final payment is to be received within 30 days of receipt of invoice.
Accepted methods of payment are:

• Cheque (Payable to Braving the Healing)
• eTransfer (Sent to Braving the Healing at [email protected])
• Auto Deposit (Please send the appropriate forms to [email protected])
• Credit Card (A convenience fee of 3.5% will be applied at the time of each transaction.)

What is the Cost?

Our blanket exercises are offered based on the services requested. VBEs carry a base cost and RBEs carry a different base cost. Additional costs include but are not excluded to:

• Travel expenses
  • Flights
  • Mileage
  • Accommodations
  • Meals
  • Car Rental
• Local specialization
  • Adding info specific to your region.
  • Adding info specific to your organization

BTH requires a non-refundable deposit to be paid to lock in the requested date(s). This deposit will carry forward in the case that a blanket exercise needs to be rescheduled to any new date with a year of the original scheduled date. For organizations that do not pay deposits, a charge to cover costs in preparation of the blanket exercise will be invoiced. 

What is needed for a VBE?

​Braving the Healing’s VBE is a multimedia presentation. As such, we will provide background images, preparation instructions for the participants, and a Zoom link.

Your organization needs to provide the following:

• A minimum of 20 participants (Less than 16 attendees on the day of the event will result in rescheduling the VBE.)
• The maximum number of participants is 60.
• The names of the participants 24 hours prior to the event.

What is needed for an RBE?

Braving the Healing’s RBE is a multimedia presentation. As such, we will provide blankets, props, laptop, and HDMI cable. 
Your organization will need to provide the following:

• A minimum of 20 participants (Less than 16 attendees on the day of the event will result in rescheduling the RBE.)
• The maximum number of participants is 60.
• Projector
• Screen
• Audio amplification (for projector)
• A space large enough to hold all the participants seated in a single circle.
• Enough chairs for all participants. 

Process

1. BTH will discuss and arrange a date, time, and services to be presented.
2. A contract outlining the services will be sent to the organization contact to be signed and sent back to BTH.
3. BTH will sign the contract and send it back to the organization along with an invoice for the deposit/preparation costs.
4. Once payment of deposit has been received, the date will be locked in.
5. For a VBE, an email with the Zoom link, virtual backgrounds, and participant instructions will be sent to the contact person no later than 2 weeks before the event. 
6. The BTH technician will be available for troubleshooting 15 minutes prior to the event starting time.
7. Latecomers will not be permitted to join the meeting 5 minutes after the posted start time. 
8. An invoice for the full value of the individual blanket exercise event will be sent after the event is completed.
9. Payment is expected within 30 days of receipt of invoice.