The Medicine/Mentoring Wheel

The above image is the education model I use in all of my programs. The model is quite complex and based on many native teachings and the natural cycles of life. The basic framework for the model which I call a medicine wheel, (it has many other names as well), is used all over the world and has been passed down through many generations. I was given this frame work at a Mind of Mentoring class at the Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, Washington. I have added my own interpretation to it and now create my program outlines using it.

The basic concept of the wheel is that there are eight directions. Each one of these directions has certain associations with it. You can read the model like a clock going through all eight directions over the course of the day and over the course of a program with each day focusing on the teachings of one or more of the shields. In the North Shield of the image I have included some past lesson plans that will show you how I fit activities and days into the directions. I find that although the wheel is very complex in its design, and sometimes hard to understand at first, it creates a very smooth flowing program. It would be a very lengthy explanation if I was to try and write down how it actually works and why I have things grouped the way they are. If you are interested please ask me about it in person, and if time allows for it, we will sit down and talk about it.

In the mean time please browse and explore the links above to get a feel for the kinds of programs I offer and the wonderful benefits that come from taking them! Each shield has between 0 and 3 links that are activated by scrolling over the shield name (not the lessons)with your mouse and clicking on the word.