Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have used Sacred Fires for wellness, healing and gatherings. Fire is a sacred gift from the Creator, as well as a doorway of communication with the Spirit world, ancestors and creation. Sacred Fires can take place for several hours or several days, depending on the reason for the fire. Some fires take place at short notice, such as a grief ceremony.
Action 15 of the City of Toronto’s Reconciliation Action Plan addresses the need to reduce barriers for Indigenous People accessing Sacred Fires, which are also supported by articles in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report.
Please be respectful of Sacred Fires taking place, and do not interrupt or take photos/video without permission.
The City aims to create safer access to land for ceremony while minimizing interruptions, and continues to listen to Indigenous communities to meet their needs.
Should First Nations, Inuit or Métis community members want to hold a Sacred Fire at a location that is not a City firepit, a Ceremonial Fire Information Form must be completed and submitted to Toronto Fire Services to initiate a site safety review. Visit the City’s Open Air Burning webpage for more information.
Email Indigenous@toronto.ca to receive more information about accessing Sacred Fires in the City of Toronto.
Firepits in City parks are available to book and open to anyone, but it is not necessary to hold a Sacred Fire at a City firepit.