Talking Circles NBE 3U1

The Circle is an important symbol of: Community Connection Inclusion Fairness Equality Wholeness Respect Sharing Interdependence

Learning as a circle Indigenous ways of knowing are circular so that you don’t have to start at a specific point – you can begin anywhere and spiral and circle to weave a web of knowledge and understanding – it supports a way of understanding and connection rather than a place of origin

Expectations We will be using “talking circles” this year for a variety of reasons (to get to know each other, to challenge our learning, to expand on our ideas, etc.) and the expectations are straightforward: Participate Ask for help if you’re “stuck” Be respectful Ensure a safe environment for all Speak and listen with good intentions

Circles for indigenous people Indigenous people regard the circle as the principal symbol for understanding life's mysteries, for they observed that it was impressed everywhere in nature. People looked out on the physical world through the eye, which is circular. The earth was round, so were the sun, moon and planets. The rising and setting of the sun followed a circular motion. The seasons formed a circle. Birds build their nests in circles. Animals marked their territories in circles. In the old days, houses or shelters were built in circles, like the teepee.

Talking Circles for indigenous people Sometimes in the safety of circle, people will find themselves bringing up sensitive issues, and for that reason, it is important that they can let the subject matter drop when they are done talking. During the break (if you have one) or after the circle, one should not go up to another person and start discussing about what that person said in their talk without asking their permission to do so. Nothing can make person distrust or close up than having to answer for something they said during the circle. Nor should anyone talk about anything personal that others have brought up in the circle. Remember that the circle is a place of safety and a tool to help people to speak about what they are feeling and thinking. It is not a place where we are trying to solve someone's problems.

The Talking Feather A way to ensure that only one person is speaking at a time Respects both the speakers and the listeners The delicate feather reminds us to use kind words and to speak gently

The story of the talking feather Popcorn reading

Perfect stranger Exercise Select one of the images you can connect with Remember that a “connection” can be as thin as a spider web or as thick as a rope Having no idea what something represents is ALSO a connection Be prepared to share your connection with the group in a talking circle Practice by sharing your connection with a neighbour