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by Altitude Digital

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Smoking Ceremony at Montessori Minds: Learning on Country, Learning with Heart

Montessori Minds was honoured to host a smoking ceremony on Wadawurrung Country, led by Kristi. Kristi Watts is Cultural Project Officer, and an Aboriginal Cultural Educator and Mentor in

Wathaurong Booln Booln Cultural Centre. We thank her for her presence and conducting this ceremony for us.

 The ceremony welcomed our community, cleansed the space, and reminded us that learning begins with respect—for Country, for culture, and for each other. It formed a key action in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and reflects our ongoing commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and ways of knowing.

In smoking ceremony Kristy used the gentle smoke of native plants to acknowledge Country, promote wellbeing, and connect participants to ancestors, land, and story. For children, this is powerful experiential learning: they see the leaves, smell the smoke, watch it rise, and notice how people move with care and gratitude. It turns abstract ideas—respect, belonging, sustainability—into something felt with the senses.

Our Children learned:

  • Identity (Outcome 1): Children experienced a living cultural practice that builds a sense of belonging on Country. They learned that “this place has story and caretakers,” strengthening identity and self-worth.
  • Community (Outcome 2): By walking alongside Elders, children saw how communities respect knowledge holders and care for each other and the environment.
  • Wellbeing (Outcome 3): The calm rhythm of the ceremony and the meaning of cleansing supported emotional regulation and a sense of safety.
  • Learning (Outcome 4): Inquiry flowed naturally—Which plants? Why smoke? What does “welcome” mean? Children compared observations, made predictions, and constructed new understandings through hands-on exploration.
  • Communication (Outcome 5): Children used rich language—describing colours, smells, and feelings—and practised respectful listening, turn-taking and question-asking with Elders.
    • Respect for diversity & Aboriginal knowledges: Culture is taught with, not about—guided by community voices.
    • Partnerships with families & community: Educators shared the experience as co-learners.
    • Reflective practice: Educators debriefed with children, capturing their words and drawings to extend learning in the weeks ahead.
  • Integrated teaching & learning approaches: Before and after the ceremony, children explored leaves, smoke patterns, mapping, storytelling.
  • Staff learning focused on cultural safety, respectful language, and building confident, sustained practice.

 

Our commitment

The smoking ceremony was not a performance; it was a relationship—with Country, with culture, and with community. We thank the Elders who led us and the families who joined us in this moment of learning. Montessori Minds will continue to embed reconciliation through everyday practice, ensuring children grow up curious, respectful, and connected—on Country and for Country.

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