Teachings that open hearts and minds
Communities of the Medicine Wheel is part of an anti-racism series
Thirty people gathered in February to learn and participate in teachings from the Medicine Wheel. The workshop was led by Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, in partnership with Alberta Avenue Community League and Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL).
The event was led by cultural connectors Leslie Ross and Bernard Dumas, who work with families throughout Edmonton. Dumas describes himself as oskâpêwis (a Cree word for Elder's
Helper at ceremonies). They’re both part of the Practise as Ceremony team.
Right from the start, the two connectors put everyone at ease. They knew how to connect with participants at whatever level was comfortable, showing respect for differing models of belief. They explained the protocol, which included the gift of tobacco from participant Christine Turrene to them. At all stages of the presentation, there was an emphasis on connection and how we are all humans sharing this planet.
Before the smudge, Ross explained that it was a personal choice whether or not to join in, which established a comfort level. The opening prayer, led by Terry Aleck (who introduced himself as Coyote), came next.
After the smudge and prayer, we were taught about the Medicine Wheel and its significance in Indigenous cultures. The connectors were careful to point out that each First Nation has their own teachings and nuances. They taught what they knew from their own perspective and cultural practices.
From the perspectives of spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental well-being, the participants used a diagram of the Medicine Wheel to reflect on their lives. The focus was on how their lives were balanced or imbalanced.
“Imbalance is normal,” said Ross, bringing relief to those of us whose results with the Medicine Wheel diagram seemed alarmingly skewed! She also emphasized that each of us has this knowledge of balance within. The exercise was another way to learn more about ourselves.
We were invited to sit in a sharing circle. Ross compared this to a tipi where energy flows and no one person sits “above” another. A stone was passed from speaker to speaker, giving each person a chance to share and, just as importantly, to be heard.
Participant Vernelle Halisheff reflected on the Medicine Wheel and its representation of the human race, saying that it’s vital that we find a place of equality among races. All colours of the wheel were represented by the participants at the workshop.
Others spoke about using this teaching tool to monitor self-care and set realistic goals. One person shared that the exercise gave her the knowledge that she could do one thing each day to address imbalance, and it empowered her. Another spoke about her children, her role as a mother and teacher, and the importance of sharing knowledge with the next generation.
Many participants expressed their gratitude for the workshop as a step toward reconciliation.
Gail is recently retired and enjoys exploring her Delton neighbourhood.
Join the EFCL’s anti-racism series
The next event at Alberta Avenue Community League is Saturday, April 20.This workshop, part of the Anti-Oppression Learning Curve, is called “Are you really anti-racist?” It will be led by the organization Sisters Dialogue, founded by Muslim women to foster bridge-building with Indigenous and other racialized communities. Sign up for the event at efcl.org.
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