Explaing the medicine wheel, how it looks at physical, mental, social, emotional, spiritual aspects of life and how to keep all of it in balance.
Materials
Videos:
Program Four - "Medicine Wheel: A Way of Life"
Documents
“Directions in Aboriginal Ministry”
Building Bridges Project/ Newman College, Edmonton Alberta
“The Story of Canadian Aboriginal Spirituality”
Chapter 3, World Religions: A Canadian Catholic Perspective
By Sr. Eva Solomon, CSJ
Novalis Publishing Inc. and Nelson Education Ltd. 2011
"Medicine Wheel: A Method of Reading the Bible"
By +Sylvain Lavoie, OMI
Publisher TBA
“Drumming from Within: Tales of Hope and Faith from Canada's North.”
By +Sylvain Lavoie, OMI
Novalis Publishing Inc. 2009
"Faith Moments: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha"
By Anne Neuberger. Novalis 2009
Websites:
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Click Here
Saint Kateri Resources
compiled by
Religious Education + Family Life
Renfrew County Catholic School Board Click Here
Study Guide
Goal
The goal of Program Four is to deepen students’ understanding of the medicine wheel tradition and how it helps keep all aspects of life in balance. Reflections from Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, OMI, Archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas (2005-2012); Founding Chair, Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops; Rosella Kinoshameg, Odawa First Nation, Member, Aboriginal Council, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops; Sr. Eva Solomon, CSJ, Ojibway First Nation, Sister of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, Executive Director, Building Bridges Project; Sandra Carter; Elder; Cree First Nation; Fr. Garry LaBoucane, OMI, Métis
Steps
1. Show the internet TV video - Program Four: "Medicine Wheel: A Way of Life”
2. Ask students to form small groups to describe the following impressions from the video:
Who are the Aboriginal speakers speaking in the video and what are their main thoughts?
Who are the non-Aboriginal speakers speaking in the video and what are their main thoughts?
What did you know after viewing the video that you didn’t know before?
Give three reasons why Canadian Catholics should support the work of the Building Bridges Project.
From this video, explain what you know about the medicine wheel.
3. Option for Take-Home Assignment
Via the Internet find more facts about medicine wheel spirituality.
What do you think of medicine wheel spirituality personally?
How does medicine wheel spirituality help in the understanding of one’s personal Catholic faith?
In groups, make presentations to the class about any or all of the above. Include suggestions on how students could become more informed about medicine wheel philosophy and spirituality.
