Understanding the Medicine Wheel

• It's unknown where the original image for the Medicine Wheel came from.
• Archaeological evidence indicates Medicine Wheels were initially constructed from stones.
• The oldest stone wheels have been discovered in Alberta.
• It's believed the teachings of the Medicine Wheel spread eastward and southward from Alberta.

Medicine Wheel Overview

• The Medicine Wheel serves as a teaching tool.
• It's a visual representation of the interconnectedness of life's aspects.
• All four sections/quadrants are equal in importance.
• The circle itself represents the continuous cycle of life.
• The four sections symbolize various concepts like directions, life stages, times of day, and seasons.

East

• The Eastern quadrant is the starting point.
• Associated with the color yellow.
• Represents Spring, the season of rebirth.
• Represents Earth, the first element provided by the Creator.
• Represents Tobacco, the first medicine given by the Creator.
• Represents Spiritual Health.
• Represents Birth, the initial stage of life.

South

• The Southern quadrant is the second doorway.
• Associated with the color red.
• Represents Summer, the season of growth.
• Represents Youth, the stage of rapid development.
• Represents Cedar, a sacred medicine.
• Represents Emotional Health.
• Represents Air

West

• The Western quadrant is the third doorway.
• Associated with the color black.
• Represents Autumn, the season of winding down.
• Represents Adulthood, the stage of knowledge transmission.
• Represents Physical Health, a time for self-care.
• Represents Sage, a sacred medicine.
• Represents Water

North

• The Northern quadrant is the fourth doorway.
• Associated with the color white.
• Represents Winter, a time of dormancy and fasting.
• Represents Elders, signifying the completion of the circle through knowledge passed down.
• Represents Sweet Grass, a sacred medicine.
• Represents Mental Health, preparation for transition.
• Represents Fire

The Seven Grandfather Teachings

• These are among the most widely shared teachings in North American Indigenous traditions.
• Serve as moral and cultural foundations for many communities.
• Adapted by each community to reflect their specific values.

Wisdom

• Wisdom is to cherish knowledge.
• Wisdom involves discerning between positive and negative and understanding the consequences of actions.
• It encompasses sound judgment and the ability to perceive inner qualities and relationships.
• One can gain wisdom by listening to and learning from elders, spiritual leaders, and healers.
• Described as sound judgment, good sense, a positive attitude, and reasoned action, binding the seven teachings.
• It is a gift from the Creator to be used for the benefit of the people.
• Represented by the Beaver: The beaver embodies wisdom through the wise use of its natural gifts for survival and sustainable changes to its environment.

Love

• Love is to know peace.
• It involves offering kindness to all things.
• Self-love promotes peace with the Creator and harmony with creation.
• It includes affection, respect, kindness, loyalty, devotion, and concern.
• It should be shared with others.
• It must be freely given from the heart.
• Represented by the Eagle: The eagle symbolizes love due to its strength to carry all teachings, fly closest to the Creator, and see all ways from a great distance.

Respect

• Respect is to honor all of creation.
• It involves showing honor and consideration for the value of people and things.
• One must honour teachings, families, others, and oneself.
• No one or anything should be harmed.
• Like love, it must be freely given.
• Represented by the Buffalo/Bison: The buffalo exemplifies respect by giving every part of itself to sustain human life, respecting the balance and needs of others.

Bravery/Courage

• Bravery is to face life with courage.
• It is the strength to confront difficulties and challenges.
• It involves making positive choices and standing up for convictions.
• Courage is shown in communication and decision-making.
• One must be prepared to defend beliefs and what is right.
• Represented by the Bear: The bear demonstrates courage in protecting its young and shows how to live a balanced life with rest, survival, and play.

Honesty

• Honesty is to be truthful in action and character.
• It is to walk through life with integrity.
• It involves being truthful, trustworthy and not being deceitful.
• Tell the truth.
• Be honest with yourself to understand who you are.
• Honesty keeps life simple.
• A honest life means that your spirit will be as big as Sabe.
• Represented by Footprint/Sabe/Raven: They understand who they are and how to walk in their life and accept and use your gifts without deceiving others or yourself.

Humility

• Humility is to accept oneself as a sacred part of creation.
• It involves a balance of equality with all life, recognizing the human need for balance.
• Everyone is equal.
• Take pride in your sharing accomplishments with others.
• Represented by the Wolf: The wolf is defined by its pack, and being outcast is its ultimate shame.

Truth

• Truth is to know all these things.
• It is to faithfully apply the teachings of the seven grandfathers and trust in the Creator.
• Sincerity in action, character, and utterance
• Be true to yourself and fellow man.
• Understand it, speak it, live by it.
• Represented by the Turtle: The turtle was present at Earth's creation and carries life's teachings on its back, living slowly and meticulously, understanding the journey and the destination.