Do you think its appropriate to purchase Sweetgrass with money?

Question

From a traditional stand point. Sweetgrass or other native american smudging items are considered only bartering items. Money is not used to gather these items. Only trading either with equal valued items or by tobacco. But now in this day and age, would it be considered alright to use money? Since it is the age of the almighty dollar.

Answer 1

I've done it before. But the more I think about it the less sure I feel about buying these items. When I bought it, i had wanted to gift it to someone and didn't have any myself, didn't think much about it. Now as I educate children on the appropriate ways to gather sage etc.. and that they should never sell I feel more and more it is not appropriate to buy it. I guess if one does it in a good way then it isn't too bad but if we want to keep our traditions alive then we should stay away from these things. I mean what if one of the youth I educate saw me buying sweetgrass in a store? That would be something.
Hope this helps,
Take Care!