The First Peoples and the Land

All First Nations and Inuit cultures share a strong bond with nature. All things – organic, living or inanimate have a spirit. The gifts of the land are to be used and enjoyed, but above all, respected. Connection to the land is at the heart of Aboriginal issues.

Medicine Wheel Teachings The Medicine Wheel teachings help explain this bond with nature. Medicine wheel teachings begin with a circle and then divided into four directions or teachings. Each teaching relates to something in the environment, and all four segments are interconnected. E.g., If the spring is dry, then the summer crops may be affected. The crops will wither and die. Keeping all four aspects in balance enables nature to be healthy and strong.

The Medicine Wheel (Cont’d) In First Nations and Inuit cultures, four is an important number. It is the basis of most Medicine Wheel teachings.

For Example... Four Seasons (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) Four Directions (north, south, east, west) For Physical Elements (air, earth, fire, water) For Aspects of the Individual (emotional, physical, spiritual, mental) For Stages of Life (child, teen, adult and cedar) Four Sacred Medicines (sage, tobacco, sweetgrass and cedar) Four colours of humans (red, yellow, black and white)

Another Medicine Wheel teaching demonstrates the First Peoples’ connection to the land. In the teaching of the four colours of humans, the Creator has given each group responsibility for different parts of nature: - White people are responsible for taking care of the air. - Black people are responsible for taking care of the water. - Yellow people are responsible for fire. - Red people are responsible for taking care of the earth.

As the last to be created, humans were assigned the roles of servants and caretakers for all other creations. This notion contrasts sharply with the Christian belief that humans have. “dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle and over all the Earth.”

The Wheel of Life The Wheel of Life provides a graphic representation of the concept of wellness. To attain and maintain harmony and balance in your life, you must focus on each of the eight dimensions of wellness. To neglect or overemphasize any of these dimensions will result in an unbalanced life wheel.

Think of a balanced Wheel of Life as a bicycle tire made up of eight different spokes, with each spoke representing a dimension of wellness. If one or more of these spokes is either too long or too short, the wheel will be unbalanced and the bicycle will provide a very bumpy ride. Therefore, we roll along through life more smoothly when our lives are well- rounded or balanced.

A balanced Wheel of Life helps you determine whether you are focusing too much on one part of your life while neglecting other parts. The wheel is divided into eight spokes. Rank your level of satisfaction from 0 to 10 for each area of your life. A score of 10 indicates that you are completely satisfied with this aspect of your life. A score of 0 indicates that you are completely dissatisfied.

My Wheel of Life Physical Activity _____ Home and Family_____ Friends_____ Spirituality_____ Part-time Work_____ School_____ Relationships_____ Fun and Recreation_____