@ai6yr I'd have to smell it and compare to mugwort. that looks awfully similar to what we'll harvest before sundance. but my identification is by the smell, which is unmistakeable.
it isn't burned for smudge. the dancers make head, ankle, and wrist bands out of it, wrapped in red clothe. they're not supposed to be touched, so the helpers grab the wrist bands to lead them around. the head bands or 'crowns' help shade their faces. It's also laid out in various places.