THE MEDICINE WHEEL FACILITATOR PROGRAM 2014

 

Instructor Information: Jason Carter       carterjason@live.ca

TOTAL HOURS: 45

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides students with an introduction to Indigenous worldviews, philosophies and identities. The cultural, historical, societal, spiritual and psychological dimensions of pre-contact societies will be explored thus providing a framework for understanding traditional strengths of Indigenous communities, families and individuals. Students will develop conceptual and personal frameworks to understand the relationship of Indigenous identity to cultural, social spiritual and personal values utilizing the Medicine Wheel Philosophy.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

 

1. Apply the Medicine Wheel philosophy in their work life.

2. Understand and be able to identify Indigenous worldviews and philosophies

3. Have a basic awareness of the traditional sacred ways of Indigenous peoples.

4. Understand the relationships between land, culture, and collective and personal identity.

5. Understand the relationship between ritual, gender and culture identity

6. Appreciate the contributions of Indigenous cultures to humanity.

7. Understand the importance of the struggle for Aboriginal Title, Aboriginal Rights, recognition and self-determination.

8. Understand the role of colonization in the formation of stereotypes

9. Understand the role of the socialization process in preserving and strengthening Indigenous identities.

 

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS:

1. The Medicine Wheel Facilitator Program- Level 1: Facilitator Guidelines

2. Introduction to the Medicine Wheel Concept-Level 1: Manual

 

SCHEDULED CLASS ACTIVITIES:

DAY 1 Topic

• Introductions & Circle Check

• Boundaries/Protocols

• History of the Medicine Wheel

Break

• The concept of the four directions

• Introduction to smudging

• The concept of self

Lunch

• The concept of connectedness

Break

• The four aspects of everyone’s nature

• The four stages of life

• The concept of the four seasons

Closing Prayer

 

DAY 2

Opening Prayer & Song

• Circle check

Break

• The concept of vision

• The concept of the four elements

Lunch Break

• The concept of learning

• The concept of Balance

Break

• The lodges of development

• Where am I on the Medicine Wheel?

Closing prayer & song

 

DAY 3

Opening prayer & Song

• Sharing circle

Break

• Residential Schools Video (The Wellbriety Journey to Forgiveness)

• Sharing circle

Break

• Visualization-Spirit Guide

• Energizers

Break

• Musical chairs to a trick song

• Sharing circle

Closing prayer & Song

 

DAY 4

• Opening prayer & Song

• Sharing circle

Break

• What is an Elder?

• Small group discussions

• Role of an ElderBreak

• Individual presentations for certifications

Break

• Presentations Continued

• Closing prayer & song

 

DAY 5

Opening prayer & Song

• Circle check

• Presentations continued

Break

• Presentations continued

• Sharing a traditional meal

• Workshop evaluation

• Circle check

• Memorable moment of the week

• Presentations of certificates

• Elders teachings

• Closing prayer & Song

Student Evaluations