By Sam McBain, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter – The Advocate Indigenous ceremonies were performed at the sites of the two future natural gas plants proposed for Marshdale and Salt Springs. The April 11 ceremonies began with smudging, an Indigenous rite where participants engulfed their heads, faces and bodies in smoke to invoke an unseen power to affect their thoughts and perception, as described by ritual leader Tonya Francis from Pictou Landing First Nation. Participants then held a seven-direction prayer to the north, south, east, west, sky, ground and within. They were led in prayer to the spirits of different directions, animals, geographical features — including water — and their ancestors. After this, Francis brought some of the children to the river to make a sacrificial food offering to the river…
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