Please be aware that when approaching a First Nations, Métis or Inuit elder or knowledge keeper in the community, you may need to follow certain steps to be respectful to that individual first. Although general guidelines can be found online for tobacco or gift offerings, local preferences and teachings that individuals follow can vary greatly. The most reliable way of knowing how to approach someone to make a request is by asking that individual directly (first) or somebody who knows them personally. This approach will illustrate your own personal openness to learning traditional process and help assure that dynamic cultures are not compartmentalized by writing.
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