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2nd Annual Cape Breton Health Research Symposium;Cape Breton University, Sydney, NS; 18 June 2004The Medicine Wheel:Health TeachingsandHealth ResearchJenna Doucette, Bonnie Bernard, Mimi Simon, Carola Knockwood(Summer Research Assistants in Integrative Science)
What is Integrative Science?Traditional KnowledgeWestern Science
CIHR – IAPHCommunity Based ParticipatoryAction ResearchIntegrative Health & Healing:co-learning our way to expandingwholeness through restoration ofrelationships with the landInstitute of AboriginalPeoples’ Health (IAPH)
According to Webster’s New Dictionary College Edition:1. Physical and Mental well-being; soundness; freedom fromdefect or pain or disease; normality of Mental and Physicalfunction.2. Condition of body or mind as good or bad health.WHERE’S EMOTIONAL & SPIRITUALITY?an Aboriginal definition:the overall well-being of an animate object that includes notonly the Physical and Mental aspects butalso the Spiritual and Emotional
Derivation of the word HealthHealthHealHealingWholeHolyAll these words derive from the Old Saxon Root hal (orhaelen), meaning whole (or to become whole). These wordsalso relate to the German word heilen and it relates to theGreek word holos, meaning whole or entire.
Introduction to Medicine WheelMany RepresentationsHealing toolTeaching Toolall have acyclic patternsacredsymbolflexible andlimitless
What does theMedicine Wheel / Mpisunrepresent? Wholeness/Mese’k Change/Sa’se’wika’sik Balance/Tetpaqjoqtesk
The Medicine WheelThe Medicine Wheel has many differentrepresentations of the natural worldwhich surrounds us.
The Medicine WheelIt is a way of organizing thoughts to conveyknowledge gained through experience.
Representations“Teachings and colors may vary, but the basic truths containedwithin are universal.” – Mary Toulouse
One representation is the concept of the Four Directions.The wheel is divided into 4 parts. We are taught that thereare Four Directions, also referred to as the Four Winds:The EastThe SouthThe WestThe North
Direction of when a new day comes into the world- Rising sun- Direction of birth & rebirth- Many new journeys begin here because at any timethere are new paths in lifeSpringEastWjipenu’k
Direction of the sun atits highest point The place ofsummer, fullness, youth,physical strength A time that peoplework to prepare for thefall & winter monthsSummerSouth SenusatekSymbolically, it is a time forpreparing for the future.
WestWetkatesenu’kFall Direction from whichdarkness comes The unknown, going within,dreams, prayer and meditation Important in the developmentof our self will Clear self knowledgeThunder & lightningoften come from theWest. Symbolically it isthe direction of power.
NorthO’watnu’k Place of winter snow thatreminds us of the hair ofour Elders Dawning place of truewisdom Completion OrganizingWinter
The Path to HealingNationCommunityYour familySelf
The Path to Healing: SelfAnother representation is the conceptof the four aspects of human nature.The Wheel is divided into 4 partswithYou in the center of the wheel. in the East there is Spiritual in the South, Emotional in the West, Physical in the North, Cognitive orMentalThe Medicine Wheel teaches that youare in the center. In your individualwheel, there are four parts thatrepresent you .As a healing tool the Wheel teaches us to recognize and workwith these aspects to bring Wholeness into our lives.
The Medicine Wheel: A Healing ToolThe East : Spirituality Spiritual practices Relating to nature A belief in higherpower, God, Niskam ,Creator Smudging, singing,dancing
The Medicine Wheel: A Healing ToolThe South: Emotional Positive Self Image Positive Self Esteem Self Love Positive Environment
The Medicine Wheel: A Healing ToolThe West : Physical physical activity a BALANCED daily diet getting enough sleep.
The Medicine Wheel: A Healing ToolThe North: Cognitive/Mental Quality time with family Learning from Elders / Teachers Listening to oral stories / history
Medicine Wheel BalancedNMentalWEPhysicalSpiritualSEmotional
Medicine Wheel Not BalancedNMentalWEPhysicalSpiritualSEmotional
Path to Healing: Familya healthy family requirestime, individual attention, support and effort
Example of how a Medicine Wheel can be used as a Healing Tool“Apiksiktuaqn/ Forgiveness”The process of Apiksiktuaqn includes 4 ionVictim&FamilyRestitution used if there was a problem between 2 community members both the accused and victim, along with their family members andall community members, join together in a circle
Path to Healing: CommunityA community is considered healthy when all of the 4aspects are in balance (ie people/ health, culture,economics and politics).
Research Tool, Teaching Tool, Learning ToolNew co-understandingsElders &Special Guests1stResearchers LEARNERunderstandingsCommunityRepresentatives
Ken Paul
CarolaMimiJenna
Path to Healing: NationIn order to heal a nation, you need time.For Example: Residential Schools
Healthy Community & NationPoliticsGift: HonestyMindSpiritGift: RespectCultureBodyGift: SharingEconomicsHeartGift: CaringCommunity Health
Healthy Community & NationPoliticsGift: HonestyMindBodyGift: SharingEconomicsLOVEHeartGift: CaringCommunity HealthSpiritGift: RespectCulture
Example of an imbalanced “Medicine Wheel”PoliticsDOMINATEFEARLittle or nopractice ofSpiritualityor cultureEconomicsROAR!!Community’shealth is ignored
Healthy Community & NationPoliticsGift: HonestyMindSpiritGift: RespectCultureBodyGift: SharingEconomicsHeartGift: CaringCommunity Health
Barriers to HealingFEARPOWER
In Conclusion The Medicine Wheel is used for many purposes. Itcan be seen as a holistic model. It is flexible and limitless: many different drawingsand symbols to represent your understanding. It can be used as a research tool. Important model for healing Self, Family,Community, and Nation.
Acknowledgements The Sacred Tree Spirituality: Living OurConnectedness The Way of the Pipe Unfinished Dreams UCCB Mi’kmaqResource Center Teachings of Ken Paul,Gwen Bear, Albert andMurdena Marshall.
CIHR-IAPH research award toCRC Cheryl Bartlett for project entitled“Integrative Health and Healing:co-learning our wayto expanding wholenessthrough restorationof relationships with the land”Institute of AboriginalPeoples’ Health (IAPH)Thank youWela’liek
The Wheel is divided into 4 parts with Youin the center of the wheel. The Medicine Wheel teaches that you are in the center. In your individual wheel, there are four parts that represent you . in the East there is Spiritual in the South, Emotional in the West, Physical in the North, Cognitive or Mental
