The word tobacco’s story goes beyond the cigarettes we buy today in Canada. Tobacco cultivation, trade and use in accordance with appropriate Indigenous traditions had occurred long before European contact. This history deserves foresight, as traditional and commercial tobacco does mean different things.
Tobacco before European Contact
There was pre-contact tobacco use in parts of the modern-day boundaries of Canada. There are historical records of Indigenous communities growing Nicotiana rustica and distributing it via pathways in eastern North America. Tobacco was part of an agricultural system that included corn, beans, and squash and was part of the way of life of the Iroquoian peoples.
Tobacco was tied to prayer, thanksgiving, healing and ceremony for some First Nations. It could be offered rather than used simply for personal consumption.
Trade Changed the Tobacco Story
A second item of trade that was significant both before and after European contact was tobacco. In other cases, such as the Mohawks, they abandoned their farms and traded with other Indian groups at great distances for tobacco surplus. Later, European traders joined these systems and took tobacco’s role in commerce.
As time went on, the commercial tobacco industry became an independent entity based on the consumption of tobacco. This, in turn, has brought quality products such as Native Smokes Canada in the market.
Sacred Tobacco and Cultural Meaning
Tobacco is a sacred medicine for many First Nations and Métis communities, and so Canada recognizes tobacco as an indigenous sacred medicine. Traditional tobacco is a sacred medicine recognized by Health Canada, along with the herbs, cedar, sweetgrass and sage. The beliefs and practices of these are not the same in every Indigenous community or individual, though.
Traditional tobacco can be used in ceremonies, offerings, and culturally significant contexts. It is not based on the ‘use’ but rather on relationships, responsibilities and teachings. This difference gives some context to why there are two distinct realities conveyed in the word “tobacco.”
What Makes the Heritage Different?
There are a number of features which mark Canada’s tobacco history as more complex than the smoking story, and which are highlighted below:
- Tobacco might represent spiritual, social and diplomatic significance.
- Each country evolved its own teachings and practices.
- Commercial tobacco evolved into a special type of industry with significant health issues.
- The search for modern policy will bring out traditional uses and limit tobacco industries.
In conclusion, Canada is a nation with deep cultural identities around tobacco. Canada is a nation of many layers of old heritage that is deeply interwoven with Indigenous history around tobacco. It comprised agriculture, trading, ritual, cultural instruction and the subsequent development of a business sector. Knowing the differences aids in having a clearer picture of Canada’s history, and by honouring its traditions, it allows you to live with it today.
