Medicine Wheel Teachings

• Medicine Wheels were first crafted from stones, according to archaeological evidence.
• Some of the most ancient stone Medicine Wheels are located in Alberta.
• The teachings of the Medicine Wheel are thought to have spread eastward and southward from Alberta.
• The Medicine Wheel serves as a teaching aid, visually representing the interconnectedness of all aspects of life.
• All four quadrants of the Medicine Wheel hold equal importance.
• The circle symbolizes the continuous cycle of life.
• The four sections of the Medicine Wheel can represent various elements, including directions, stages of life, times of day, and seasons.

East

• The Eastern doorway/quadrant is the starting point.
• It is associated with the color yellow.
• It represents spring, when nature awakens.
• It corresponds to Earth, the first element from the Creator.
• Tobacco is its sacred medicine, being the first gift from the Creator.
• It symbolizes spiritual health.
• It signifies birth, the initial stage of life.

South

• The Southern doorway/quadrant is the next one.
• Its color is red.
• It embodies summer, the season of plant growth.
• It represents youth, the second stage of life marked by rapid growth.
• Cedar is its sacred medicine.
• It symbolizes emotional health.
• It is associated with Air.

West

• The Western doorway/quadrant is the third.
• It is represented by the color black.
• It signifies autumn, when plants and animals prepare for winter.
• It corresponds to adulthood, a time for passing down knowledge.
• Physical health is emphasized, requiring better self-care.
• Sage is its sacred medicine.
• It is associated with Water.

North

• The Northern doorway/quadrant is the fourth.
• Its color is white.
• It represents winter, a period of dormancy, often involving fasting.
• It symbolizes elders, completing the life cycle through knowledge transfer.
• Sweet Grass is its sacred medicine.
• It is associated with Mental health, preparing for transition.
• Fire is its element.

Seven Grandfather Teachings

• These teachings are among the most widely shared in North American Indigenous cultures.
• Many communities embrace these seven principles as a moral compass and cultural bedrock.
• Each community tailors the teachings to reflect its own values.

Wisdom: Beaver

• Cherishing knowledge equates to wisdom.
• Wisdom is discerning between positive and negative, understanding action consequences.
• It involves sound judgment and recognizing inner qualities and relationships.
• Embrace the wisdom of elders, spiritual guides, and healers.
• Wisdom connects all seven teachings.
• The Creator bestows wisdom for the benefit of all.
• The beaver embodies wisdom through the wise use of natural gifts for survival.
• Beavers sustainably modify their environment, benefiting their families.

Love: Eagle

• Love is synonymous with peace, expressing kindness to all.
• Loving oneself means living in harmony with the Creator and creation.
• Love encompasses affection, respect, kindness, loyalty, devotion, and care.
• Share love with all.
• Love must be freely given from the heart.
• The eagle embodies love, possessing the strength to carry all teachings.
• Eagles fly highest, closest to the Creator, with far-reaching vision.

Respect: Buffalo/Bison

• Honouring all of creation constitutes respect.
• Respect involves valuing others and things through consideration and appreciation.
• Honour teachings, families, others, and oneself.
• Avoid causing harm.
• Respect must be freely given.
• The buffalo exemplifies respect by offering its entire being to sustain human life, acknowledging the balance and needs of others.

Bravery/Courage: Bear

• Facing life with courage embodies bravery.
• It is the strength to confront difficulties and challenges.
• Make positive choices with courage.
• Stand up for convictions in communication and decisions.
• Defend beliefs and what is right, never giving up.
• The mother bear displays courage in protecting her young.
• Bears demonstrate a balanced life of rest, survival, and play.
• Face fears and embrace life.

Honesty: Footprint/Sabe

• Honesty is acting with integrity, being truthful in character.
• Living life with integrity embodies honesty.
• It involves truthfulness and trustworthiness.
• Be honest with oneself, recognizing one's true self.
• Avoid deceit, as honesty simplifies life. -Elders says that an honest life means a big spirit.
• The Sabe understands and embraces one's true self.
• Accept and utilize your gifts without deceiving yourself or others.

Humility: Wolf

• Accepting oneself as part of creation is humility.
• It involves deference and submission.
• Recognize the need for balance in life.
• Understand equality with all.
• Take pride in accomplishments, sharing them with others.
• For wolves, life revolves around the pack, with being outcast as the ultimate shame.

Truth: Turtle

• Knowing these things is knowing the truth.
• Truthfully apply and trust the teachings.
• Honour entails being truthful and trustworthy.
• Be sincere in action, character, and words.
• Adhere to facts.
• Be true in all actions, to oneself and others.
• The turtle embodies truth, present since Earth's creation, carrying life's teachings.
• Turtles live deliberately, appreciating both the journey and the destination.
• Truth involves faith in one's teachings.