By Colleen Loader, Director of Technical Services at CAGBC
The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) recently shared that LEED Interpretation 10517 will allow for the seamless integration of Indigenous cultural ceremonies within the LEED certification process.
The LEED Environmental Quality (EQ) prerequisite Environmental Tobacco Smoke is intended to address health concerns resulting from second-hand tobacco smoke; however, it was never intended to prohibit or deter Indigenous cultural ceremonial practices which may include the combustion of tobacco and other ceremonial materials – such as when smudging, which involves the burning of sacred medicines: tobacco, sage, cedar, or sweetgrass.
This LEED interpretation affirms that the prerequisite does not restrict this ceremonial practice, providing a clear path for projects to honor cultural ceremonies while maintaining LEED compliance. The interpretation applies to LEED v4 and LEED v4.1 projects, noting:
“An exception can be made for cultural ceremonial practices (e.g., smudging) which may include the combustion of tobacco and other ceremonial materials. Project teams may elect to incorporate design strategies or operational practices to manage the exposure of building occupants (who are not participating in the ceremonial practices) to ceremonial smoke, however, this is not a requirement of this prerequisite.”
A similar exemption is available for LEED v5 as noted within the reference guides under the EQ prerequisite No Smoking. CAGBC worked closely with USGBC on this issue, which was raised by Canadian projects and consultants, including Leanne Conrad, Sustainable Buildings + Climate Action Team Lead at Entuitive.
“On behalf of my clients, I am pleased to see the LEED rating system officially recognize this culturally significant practice which carries such an important weight in our communities,” Conrad shared.
“It’s encouraging to see LEED clearly acknowledge that environmental health goals and Indigenous cultural practices are not in conflict,” said Adam Stoker, Senior Sustainable Infrastructure Engineer with the City of Calgary, and chair of the USGBC LEED Design + Construction Consensus Committee. “Having had the opportunity to advocate for this perspective through the USGBC review process, I’m pleased to see it reflected in an interpretation that provides clarity while reinforcing the importance of culturally respectful, healthy building design.”