The Medicine Wheel

The Medicine Wheel is one of the most important teachings in native North American culture. There are several teachings, such as the four directions (north, south, east and west), the four colours of races (red, black, yellow and white), the four directions, or the four stages of life (spiritual, mental, physical and emotional). Different tribes have different colours to represent the four directions. The Medicine Wheel below is represented in the traditional four colours (red, black, yellow and white).

From our ancestors, we are taught that everything in life is circular. We are one within the circle of life. The Medicine Wheel teaches us that the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects must be in balance in order to maintain a healthy mind, spirit and body.

EAST (yellow): from the East, we begin to seek knowledge, the direction where everything is fresh and new. The sacred plant of this direction is tobacco.

SOUTH (red): from the South we experience growth, the direction where everything in life is replenished and in full bloom. The sacred plant of this direction is cedar.

WEST (black): from the West we encounter reflection and spiritual insight, the direction where dreams and visions allow you to go within and appreciate yourself and your Creator. The sacred plant of this direction is sage.

NORTH (white): from the North we experience the purity, the direction where the secret to many cures is found for healing. The sacred plant being the Sweet Grass, to keep you free from evil and make your travels safe.

SOURCE: The Healing Trail

The Staff of First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) have developed a Medicine Wheel Model of Learning. In Aboriginal Access to Post-Secondary Education: Prior Learning Assessment and its Use within Aboriginal Programs of Learning, Diane Hill describes the practices that have evolved over the last fifteen years. FNTI incorporates traditional Aboriginal knowledge and methodologies She postulates four stages to learning, as follows:

Awareness (Spirit - Attitudes and Insights) - ever-increasing understanding of one's self and the world.

Struggle (Heart - Feelings about Self and Others) - efforts and attempts to change negative life experiences to positive patterns of feeling and believing which influence relating behaviour.

Building (Mind - Knowledge) - developing the new positive life experiences into continuous patterns and a view of life which includes integrating the strengths already acquired by the learner.

Preservation (Body - Skills) - maintaining the positive patterns and view of life as an on-going system.

Source: Adult Literacy Database