The ceremony, also known as a smudging ceremony, can be performed for a variety of purposes such as to open or close a community meeting, as part of a healing ceremony, or to honour the spirit world.

Blake Debassige (b. 1956) is a renowned member of the second generation of Ojibwe artists who practice the Woodland School of Art, popularized by artist Norval Morrisseau. Ojibwe legends feature prominently in his pieces, and Debassige champions many issues through his artwork, such as environmental degradation and Indigenous language preservation.