Making a tobacco tie with the American Indian Learning Resource Center

Tobacco ties can be made with a variety of cloth colors and patterns. Photo by Emmaleah Allen

Students and staff gathered to make tobacco ties and share the cultural and ceremonial practices of tobacco on Sept. 17 at the UMD American Indian Learning Resource Center in KSC 315. The teachings on tobacco ties are individual and relevant to areas amongst different tribes.

“The power and significance of Asemaa(tobacco) are both immeasurable in the Indigenous culture of this region,” said AILRC Assistant Director Jeremy Wilson in an email.

Before making a tobacco tie, it’s important to understand the significance of tobacco-asemma and what a tobacco tie means.

The passing of tobacco ties itself is an initiation which can start many interactions. It can also be an acknowledgement to others for good deeds. To receive a tobacco tie is a great honor and the passing of it shows great respect, according to Wilson.

Making tobacco ties has varied traditions. It's not uncommon for the cloth and string to be smudged with other traditional medicines.

“Sage-Bashkode' jiibik, and Sweetgrass-Wiingashk, people add other sacred medicines at times as well, like cedar-giizhik, and even a pinch of tobacco-asemaa,” said Wilson.

The smudging is to cleanse since tobacco ties are given to other human beings/spirits. It’s also imperative that they are made with good intentions.

“Whenever you make anything, you want to do so in a good spirit and in a good way,” said Wilson.

Jeremy Wilson started as the assistant director of the AILRC at the beginning of the school year. The position was previously held by Iris Carufel. Photo by Seth Roeser

Putting the ties together consists of taking a square piece of cloth and adding a palm full of tobacco or less into the hand – enough to fill a pipe bowl, which was the amount Wilson was taught to put in a tie. Then the cloth is tied into a bag with a simple knot so that it’s ready to be offered to others in a convenient way. Tobacco-asemma is highly valued, and can be commonly seen tied in a red cloth with a red string.

“It's always associated [with] ceremony,” said Wilson.

Once a person accepts the tobacco tie, they are able to utilize it how they prefer. The receiver will fulfill a request made by the giver, however, if there is no request, the receiver can use that tobacco in a good way with prayer or offering. Once the receiver accepts the tobacco tie, they must attempt to fulfill what was asked of them. The initiation of passing a tobacco tie could be for simple favors such as asking someone a basic question, or larger favors such as naming someone's children.

Events like tobacco tying allow UMD students to learn more about Indigenous American cultures. The Director of the American Indian Learning Resource Center Jody O’Connor invites everyone to join AILRC events with open arms. To stay up to date with the AILRC, follow them on Instagram.