Smudge Bowls

Historically, inland Indigenous communities traded with Coastal Nations for beautiful Abalone shells and they became the beautiful vessels that we still use today for burning our sacred medicines, creating tools and jewelry.

Abalone was overharvested in the 1970’s and 80’s when restaurants sold the expensive mollusk as an aphrodesiac. Abalone quickly became endangered and totally disappeared from north american oceans.

All Abalone shells are now imported (Mexico/Asia/Australia, etc.) or acquired from farms. While some fish farms can be beneficial, many are detrimental to the natural environment by introducing genetically modified species, disease, waste and upset to shoreline ecosystems.

With this understanding, Millside Ceramics has created an alternative; ceramic smudge bowls that are modelled after ancient effigies. They are a beautiful, natural alternative to shells.

Creator, Ancestors and the Sky/Spirit World will hear you. It doesn’t matter what kind of bowl you use in your ceremony.

Save The Abalone Project by Millside Ceramics in partnership with:

• Pass The Feather

• Indigenous Arts Collective

• Funded by: Ontario Arts Council