Manitoba Student Told Not To Smudge Before School

Brandon, Manitoba – 17-year-old Stephen Bunn is a Canadian aborigine that has run afoul of his school district’s scent- and fragrance-free policy. It’s not that he practices poor hygiene or wears excessive amounts of cologne. Rather, he practices what is termed “smudging”.

It is the burning of sage while meditating to the smoke and scent of the weed. Initially, an instructor at the school questioned him for possible marijuana abuse. Bunn explained that he was simply performing an aboriginal ritual in the morning.

The Bunn family has struggled as of recent when their 15-year-old son ended his own life. Stephen has had to endure a lot of stress as he has stepped up to be a support for his family. The morning smudging helps him tap into inner strength and even feel an ongoing bond with his late brother. Now, the school has instructed him to perform the smudging after school so as not to offend anyone with the odor.

At the behest of his grandmother, he posted a short video explaining his pre-school smudging dilemma. It hasn’t exactly gone viral, but it has been viewed over 6,000 times. For his part, he has resumed the practice and thus far no one’s made a fuss.

On The Web:
Student told not to smudge before school
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/student-told-not-to-smudge-before-school-244172851.html