Craft Class with Sal Garcia: Smudge Feather

Suscol Council's Outreach Coordinator Sal Garcia-Pinola teaches step-by-step how to make your own smudge feather. Supplies needed: a feather, leather or canvas, a ruler, pen or pencil, sinew, lighter, scissors, and tacky glue. Programs sponsored by Suscol Intertribal Council with funding from Napa County Mental Health Division's Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention component.

[@JakobPek]

Thanks so much for sharing this!

[@krystalargodelindachrist9111]

Always have especially loved the Spiritual Quality of your teaching about crafting Natuve American ways and items. Krystalargo de Lindachrist aka Linda Sue Powers

[@kaecake9575]

_Ya'at'eeh_ The feathers look beautiful, Im researching a lot about my heritage in Diné Nation. I plan on making a Navajo Basket or a feather fan for myself👍 Thank you.

[@lightfighter54]

Thank you for sharing a bit of your culture.

[@goymedhundDogtrainingBehavior]

Thank you so much for sharing this :) After i started to look for my real paternal grandfather and his ancestors, strange things started to happen. i took a DNA test and it showed Native American 80-120 years ago -. my dad would be 88 now if he was alive so it has to be Grandfather 100% or 50% Native.. My dad looke 100% native but with green-grey eyes. I also has several traits - andi am so proud of that :) So after the test i begun thinking about how to find my family since no one alive to day knows who grandfather was except from a name like Charles/ Charlie and that he visited Norway with a circus in 1933.. So while walking my dogs in the forest asking for help i started to find eagle feathers.. i have walked these woods for over 12 years and never ever found a feather.Not even from a geese... but in a couple weeks i found 3.. the first was quite small and not in the best of shape , the next was better and the last was incredible.. like it was building up to something..I ofte see the eagle flying together with hawks.. incredibe to watch. . I have a couple clues that i might be part Crow and Lakota - but have no idea where to get help to search it more.. I hope i one day can find the answer.. But i know that i will make a smudge feather out of the last eagle feather

[@SuscolCouncil]

thank you for your story. If you get DNA testing and find a genealogical center near you or online they will usually help you explore your roots and refer you to groups that help identify locations of ancestors. If you are able to identify your tribe through family members' names contact the BIA for tribal information then contact the tribe directly for ancestral tracing. Sometimes a good idea to attend public events of the tribe your ancestors were a part of. Good luck it is quite a wonderful journey.

[@AmyCT622]

Wow, great story!! Especially finding the eagle feathers, very hard to come by, that right there is a sign!! 🥰💞♥

[@goymedhundDogtrainingBehavior]

@@AmyCT622 Thank you so much Amy

[@skeingamepodcast5993]

My friend raises turkeys so I have access to some gorgeous feathers. Can't wait to make one of these for my Salish friend!

[@SuscolCouncil]

Great!! Turkey feathers make wonderful fans. It is always good to know where your feathers came from.

[@sarahwendorf5118]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I just got my first feathers today! Can not wait to try! Thank you so much!

[@samuelhelland3235]

So I just made my first fan from watching your video. Thank you so very much.

[@SuscolCouncil]

that is wonderful!! thanks for letting us know!!

[@ghyselenserge1268]

Merci pour le partage

[@AmigoGabe]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@SuscolCouncil]

please subscribe and like!

[@vladimirshatilov]

Thank you for this lesson!

[@SuscolCouncil]

thank you for watching it!

[@tonynapoli5549]

Thank you for showing how it’s made .

[@mfowl677]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@SuscolCouncil]

your welcome.

[@marelunareikiasmr]

Giving great thanks from England 🙏

[@lizashleyhope1]

Thank you! I had a dream of feathers and ever since I have been gifted with so many feathers from my bird friends! My first gift was a Hawk feather that I use for smudging. Recently I found tons of crow feathers and white feathers in my yard and I had no idea what to do with them. Thank you!!!

[@SuscolCouncil]

Great! always treat with respect.

[@Essuna]

Thank you so much! I want to add a smudge fan or feather to my shamanic/spiritual practice and didn't know how to make one. This is wonderful! Many blessings to you! Greetings from Chile :)

[@SuscolCouncil]

wonderful!

[@WitmanClan]

Thank you 🙏

[@catcheong93]

Thank you for sharing!💖

[@SuscolCouncil]

thanks for watching please share!!

[@yvonnerivera6222]

Thanks you for sharing

[@marleyofficialmedia]

Thank you for sharing.

[@SuscolCouncil]

Yes, glad you enjoyed this video! Plz "Subscribe" to Suscol channel

[@jesseramos8906]

Thank you so much for this tutorial I've just given a turkey feather and also have hawk feather also

[@Annette941]

Thank you sir.

[@JustYaeWendt]

Thank you 👍

[@SuscolCouncil]

great thank you for taking time to watch plz share link!

[@nizatorresmusic]

Thank you

[@SuscolCouncil]

glad you enjoyed this sort video.

[@Kate13.]

🙌🏼♥️ thank you

[@SuscolCouncil]

your welcome the public response to this video has been amazing!

[@heatherwheeler828]

my mom is native american i have it in me to i fine feathers alot with all meanings from them from my angeles

[@sonshine9526]

I am surprised you use a lighter and scissors, thankyou for the video :)

[@maryloulewis3435]

That is so beautiful I would love to have one of those for our home I don't no how to

[@asmaaelsaid9163]

👍🏻 thanks. How can I make the shape of the natural feather stay and doesn't be changed if touched or by air ?

[@amchildress01]

I've seen a lot of tutorials on how to make these. For years I have wanted to learn a more old school technique and haven't found any. I came across yours and even though glue is used, it's the closest to the original ways. I have a large collection of feathers that I have been wanting to use for this as well. I am still looking for some help as to how to properly clean feathers if they need cleaned. Other than a spiritual bath and cleansing and giving thanks to the beautiful spirits who left them behind, what is the safest and proper way to clean them so there is no damage to the feathers?

[@SuscolCouncil]

wash gently with water and allow to air dry keep in safe dry place occasionally washing them down like once a year or wiping with your hands oil from clean hands keep them healthy

[@amchildress01]

@@SuscolCouncil Thank you so very much~ I was worried I would have to wash with a chemical and I didn't want to ruin or remove anything that "needed" to remain~ I truly appreciate you replying back to me so fast~ ♥

[@MatildaRosemother]

@@SuscolCouncil Does the temperature of the water matter?

[@MicheleCota]

I love these feathers you are using. What kind are these?

[@tatyknight888]

Thank you. I was looking for a tutorial. I have so many feathers. Leather? Where could i get some?

[@Tommy-ji3gn]

Nice 👍

[@SuscolCouncil]

Glad you enjoyed this!

[@cathys1823]

Wado, brother!!🦋🕊

[@SuscolCouncil]

your welcome.

[@christinehaslam9480]

Hi. Thank you for sharing this video/time. I'm wondering where you can buy the string, that you wrap the leather with? Thank you❤

[@SuscolCouncil]

you can order online sinew. Crow Trading post is one website.

[@christinehaslam9480]

@@SuscolCouncil Thank you♡

[@wheepingwillow24u17]

WHAT DOES ONE DO WITH THE SMUDGE FEATHER? JUST JOINED A TRIBE, AND AM LEARNING ALL I CAN. WADO

[@tamzenkarma]

Thank you What did the first nations use before glue? Tree sap?

[@Ygwm262]

👍

[@SuscolCouncil]

Thanks you for taking the time to view!

[@heatherwheeler828]

i love feathers there beauitful may i ask were u get your feathers

[@reikishannon7113]

I'm curious if anyone knows where to find responsibly sourced feathers...?

[@SuscolCouncil]

You can Google or collect your own along parkways or streets.

[@rinadavid3088]

Outdoors wildlife, and if you have your tribal membership or band membership you can order eagle feathers

[@sharliescreativecorner8251]

The best responsibly sourced feathers are ones that you find in the wilderness. The birds will drop their feathers during molting or preening. I find that along lakes and rivers is a great place to find them and in the woods. Take care not to disturb any nests or habitats while picking them up and never remove feathers from a nest. If you find an eagle feather you cannot take it without a permit. I have found a lot of feathers just in my yard. We have a lot of doves in my neighborhood and they drop feathers a lot. Just keep your eye out. The more you are in nature, the more you will find! :)

[@excelrange4246]

I ordered turkey feathers to make a smudging wand from Etsy & put them outside in airtight bag with mothballs for 24 hours to kill any mites. After the 24 hours, I sanitized them in a 50/50 mixture of alcohol & hydrogen peroxide for 2-3 hours & then soaked in Dawn dishwashing liquid & shook them in this liquid for a few minutes & then rinsed in water. I towel dried them & used a toothbrush to comb feathers back in place & used blow dryer on cool setting to dry. A couple of days later, I left them out in the sunlight. Sir, do you sanitize feathers in any way? Thank you very much.

[@charlietoledo5782]

What else what to do videos do you want

[@RabeccaPrimeau]

Can you recommend where to purchase nice large feathers?

[@SuscolCouncil]

Best to collect your own. Or register with BIA through your tribe.

[@liztaylor85139]

Hard to find real Sinew. Can I use the fake leather working sinew that is waxed? Thanks

[@SuscolCouncil]

Yes, actually the manufactured waxed sinew works a bit easier. It's easier to find and to store.

[@hayleypalmer2589]

Could you do a class on wings and claws please.

[@SuscolCouncil]

WIngs are more complex. We will do something in-and house soon. That is more complex process and who would have a wing is also more selected

[@SuscolCouncil]

Hayley, that is more complicated and would be done without previous screening! We will share easy crafts that are open to everyone.

[@rinadavid3088]

Niawen kowa (thank you) from Akwesasne mohawk territory

[@SuscolCouncil]

Glad you enjoyed this.

[@Winchesterosteve]

I am a wronged person And always plague Give me a thought of you to protect me Is it the feathers of an eagle or a crow?

[@codygeewin5166]

Need to to a disclaimer on the use of Eagle feathers and other protected Birds.. that only Native People have a right to use and have them!!

[@SuscolCouncil]

yes, thank you for that will add to the video link. We do use non-restricted feathers in workshops and will make sure that is clear.

[@nubsrevenge9726]

So you're saying if brother eagle and the Creator collaborate to give you an eagle feather because you have done a Brave thing you're saying that is wrong because of my skin color This truly saddens me because gifts from the Creator should be cherished despite anything

[@twichmcvey6065]

I am too far removed from my mother's family to count as a native so cant use them. I still need to protect my home and family so need to smudge. I need to know good feathers to use that will still conduct the good energies, what would be a good substitute?

[@twichmcvey6065]

@@nubsrevenge9726 that's how I felt as a kid but my mothers side of the family made it very clear that I am "too white to take part" for it to count, or to go with the powwows and dances. I learned to keep my practice secret till i was old enough to just not care about what they said too me. Still hurt though. I ended up becoming eclectic, and learning about my father's pagan side too.

[@SuscolCouncil]

@@twichmcvey6065 there are other feathers from flying birds, not restricted ones that you can use.

[@austinbogle8795]

So heres a dumb/newby/ white guy trying to change my life and live a more spiritually fulfilling relationship with nature question. Is it better to have a feather that you didnt buy? Either finding it in the woods or even from hunting like a turkey or something? Do toy think that would have a more spiritual significance or am I just overthinking?

[@gregmatchett7110]

Same boat here brother. Do you have any reserves nearby? I'm sure there are elders that will be able to help. You could also link up with local hunters to help use the entire animal.

[@prod.garbagebeats8807]

I do not know what native tribe you have ties with, so I cannot give an insightful answer. I can say that in the Southwest, it would make no difference. Turkeys are raised as pets by many tribes and their feathers are pulled without causing the animal pain. There is a large abundance of beautiful feathers, so they are free. No hikes, hunting, or buying. To us, all the feathers have the same spiritual value, but maybe not the same symbolic value.

[@SuscolCouncil]

Yes, it is better to find a feather Allow the bird to give it to you. Not legal to sell items with certain feathers. So check with your local Fish & Wildlife

[@SuscolCouncil]

@@gregmatchett7110 better to find a feather. Not restricted or endangered birds.

[@austinbogle8795]

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the insight! I know my great grandmother was Charokee and then my great grandfather was Blackfoot. Unfortunately I have no reservations near me nor do I have any family that new them directly to hear the stories or teachings they had so I'm grasping at what I can haha but much love to all of you and thank you for taking the time to help me get connected to the land and all that dwells here!

[@AlpineArts]

What a handsome guy, he can teach me any day 😋🤣 no disrespect, sir. 🥰