“To further understand the medicine wheel, one needs to understand the concept of life as a circular journey of the four directions conquering four symbolic hills. The first hill is infancy [childhood] in the South, where life begins. The second hill, in the West direction, is an introspective experience, which represents a youth's vision quest. The third hill is situated in the East, where it represents a meditative path. In the East, middle-age [adult] tribal members are [giving birth to their own children, and] learning to master skills that will be passed on to younger tribal members as they move to the direction of the North. The final hill is the North, which represents maturity and old age. It is where the elder wisdom-keepers dwell. Each of the four directions represents a certain way of perceiving, with none being greater than another.”
In addition, the four directions represent the seasons. North represents winter; the color is white, and the element is fire. North is a place of wisdom, contemplation, and fulfillment. The animal token is the magnificent buffalo known for its strength and stamina. The South represents summer. A time of growth, this allows time for winter preparation. It is a place where discipline [respect] is learned from the elders. Without discipline and preparation for the winter, hope could be lost in surviving the winter. Its color is green/yellow, its element is air, and its animal token is the mouse. The East's seasonal influence is the spring, a place of [giving] birth, rebirth, and ritual ceremonies. Each time people journey to the East, they acquire new understandings through ritual ceremonies such as the sun dance. Its color is red, reflecting a place where courage is born; a place of warmth, spirit, trust, and hope. The East is the direction from which light comes. The element is Earth, and its token animal is the Eagle. The West represents the fall and is a place of introspection to look into one's spirit. Its color is black, its element is water, and its token animal is the bear.
The medicine wheel teaches us that the colors from the four directions are symbolic of all races/ethnicity, and that we are all part of the same human family. The four elements represent the physical world and must be respected equally for their gift of life to us.
The circle of life represents everything an Indian does. In making a medicine wheel a flowering tree was placed in the center, stones were placed in a circle around the tree and nourishment came from the four directions. The North winds provide strength and endurance; the South warmth; the East gave peace and light; and the West rain for the tree to flourish.
The circular story path guided the researcher along a medicine wheel journey of introspection and self-discovery of the unique health challenges endured by Native American Indian nursing students. Creating a tangible representation of this journey and filtering the network of challenges and supports through the Dream Catcher Medicine Wheel facilitated the processing of educational barriers felt by American Indian students.
With love,
Kim Crystal
Referances;
Charbonneau-Dahlen, Barbara K, RN, PhD. (2009). Hope: The Dream Catcher-Medicine Wheel Retention Model for Diverse Nursing Students. Journal of Theory Construction & Testing; Lisle. 19 (2), pgs 25-38.
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