WHAT IS MEDICINE WHEEL COMMUNICATION?

 Medicine Wheels are  attributed to the wise and sacred teachings of the Plains Native people, and their summer solstice ceremony, the Sun/Thirst Dance. Approximately sixty Medicine Wheel's have been found in Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, with over forty in southern Alberta (Lakhota, Blackfoot territory). Average age estimate 2000-3000 years.

What many other tribal communities have adopted the Medicine Wheel as a unifying symbol of peaceful interaction. Tribes, such as the Ojibwa, and Tsimshian for example, have adapted the knowledge to suit their world view. It is with humble thanks that I acknowledge the wisdom of the Plains. (Photo Above left: Medicine Wheel recently discovered 2011 in the mountains of Colorado. Age estimate, 800 years)

Unhampered by the rapid growth of technology in the twenty-first century, Native leaders understood the importance of developing physical, spiritual, emotional and mental strength in their communities. Medicine Wheel teachings were a means of providing everyone with a strong sense of character-building purpose.

A Medicine Wheel was traditionally constructed by the laying of stones, each representing a character trait or universal teaching, (e.g. self-esteem, personal courage, hope), that was first discussed with the Elders and then laid in a circle in a specific pattern. As more teachings were introduced the wheel became larger and larger. (Photo: Big Horn in Wyoming is the largest, measuring seventy metres across and consisting of tens of thousands of various-sized stones each with its own meaning).

Tribal communities understood the value of counteracting racism with teamwork, jealousy with self-respect, gender bias and gender choice with acceptance, fear with courage, hate with love. Each person was valued for exactly who they were, regardless of gender, age or experience, and the tribes hummed for sixty thousand years.

As noted above, in modern times, the medicine wheel has been universally adopted as a symbol of inspirit health and wellness; it also adapts very well to contemporary times, and is a wonderfully uplifting way of developing both environmental awareness, and strength of character for personal and professional pro-active change. Medicine Wheel teachings re-infuse the earth with healthy attitudes, actions and hope. It is only through intelligent commitment to ourselves, each other and our world, with all that lies below, upon and above, can we truly appreciate our hopeful destiny.

After many years as a Senior Director in a large unionized, culturally-diverse company, I have seen how easy it is for individuals to lose their focus under the pressure of performance, longer hours, threats of down-sizing and job loss, long commutes and increased stress. Medicine Wheel teachings are tangible mechanisms upon which the power of clear, positive communication among, individuals, families, business associates, communities and nations can be focused.

Note:  My presentations are geared to the specific requirements of the event.

Sweet Thunder: Song of Hope - Overall Description

 It is an almost completely interactive experience that explores the value of living in a good way. Moreover, the beauty and wisdom of Eagle Thunder's messages bridges the cultural divide in ways that allows for the celebration of positive human and intercultural connections. In other words, drums and inclusivity do not know about race, racism, jealousy, hate, bullying, cyber-bullying, resentment, greed, gender bias, gender choice and human diversity. What Eagle Thunder does know is the power of respect, hope, inspiration, right action, and honour. First Nations knowledge teaches us about teamwork, co-operation, quelling the ego, and being part of the joyful sound of one heart beating. Shannon and Sandy expect participants to sing, drum and dance like everyone is watching and listening!

In order to live a good life, we must show up and engage in it. It is a profound understanding and refinement of thought and feeling that connects us deeply to both the temporal and upper worlds. Native People are being called back to the drum to share the time-honoured teachings that influenced tribal life for thousands of years. All of us need powerful messages that allow for the growth of the spirit, to embrace mindfulness; to stay in the present and act in non-judgemental ways. In this way we can create an entrance to our souls, where our life's journey starts on a path of seeking the truth of our existence.  Courage + Inner Strength + Hope + Accountability = Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, and Mental Resilience!

1.  The Tsimshian call it Ama't'ilgoolsk, Ama'diduuls, or "Good Thoughts, Good Life". 

2.  Ojibwa call it Mene Doh, or "State of Revitalization".

3.  Mi'gmaq call it Gsite'taqan or "Something to be Cherished or Valued".

4.  Lakhota call it, Hanta Ho, or “Clearing the Way”.

In other words, it is about clearing physical, spiritual, emotional and mental debris so that another story emerges; a story of hope, understanding, and, ultimately, the triumph of the human spirit which extends to re-infusing the earth and its citizens with healthy attitudes and actions.

Not only does time-honoured Medicine Wheel knowledge comfort us by making sense of the world, but it challenges us to do better.

SWEET THUNDER: SONG OF HOPE

JUST FOR WOMEN

"Two hours, Full Day (6 Hours) or Two-day RETREAT

For over thirty years, I have been counselling and coaching women of all ages and  from all walks of life. Women all over the world are descended from powerful matriarchal Ancestors who taught that we are were not only to take care and build for ourselves, but we were to do the same for our families, communities and, yes, nations. Make no mistake, sisters, we were charged with this responsibility when the gift of life, of creation and fertility was given to us.  Over time, many women have lost hope because of the challenges of maintaining integrity, dignity and self-esteem under the constant scrutiny of a relentless, often violent world.

Yet Hope is attached to all peoples regardless of gender, race, colour or creed; it is at the primal level, deep-seated in the ancient brain. Like air, hope is intangible but essential to life. A lack of hope manifests when we feel that our voices are unheard, when there is no sense of ownership, when we feel powerless instead of empowered. Women of all nations are being called back to the drum to once again form solid bonds of cross-cultural sisterhood. The collective female voice that is Mother Earth's bedrock must be listened to and respected. We are in a time of resurrection of the confident, powerful female within each of us; the time for us to step forward into the truth of we are.

In this gentle, inclusive, informative and relaxing workshop you have the opportunity to come together to reconnect with each other. Sweet Thunder Medicine Wheel gives you the opportunity to "just be", to find your voice and to feel that you matter in the world. Although you may carry many titles, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, niece, to name a few, the workshop serves to remind you that you are also a very important, Individual Self. Time-honoured Medicine Wheel teachings and other traditional knowledge form the basis of this important workshop that guides women to open gateways to positive self awareness. It is an almost completely interactive and includes improvisational theatre, vocals, hand drums, big powwow drums and dance.

 Depending on length of workshop, it includes:

1.  --Time-honoured traditional medicine wheel teachings set in contemporary contexts.

2.  --Thunder Wolf Big Drum Vocal circle.

3.  --Group and small group exercises.

4.  --Improvisational Theatre.

5.  --Interactive building of a human medicine wheel.

6.  --Sweet Thunder Meditation.

7.  --Writing original music and singing it in an original language.

8.  --Lively discussion and sharing circle.

9. --Participation, Maximum 40. Length: Minimum 90 minutes.

Note 1:  Audience maximum 40.

Note 2: Large open space to accommodate drums, chairs and props.

Note 3: Video-taping, photography and recording IS NOT permitted.

Presentation Copyrighted

 SWEET THUNDER FOR WOMEN TESTIMONIAL

Your ability to make us feel sale, particularly those of us in crisis, was absolutely heart-warming and amazing. I love your energy, often raucous good humour, and I felt really encouraged because I realized you'd been through what a lot of us are currently going through, this was a huge comfort to me. You are right, there is always hope, isn't there?""
(E.M., Women's Gathering, Toronto, ON)

"This show is for all of you  who want to feed your soul, elevate your spirit, participate and laugh your head off & sing. as Thunderbird encouraged, like everyone is listening!" (M. Anderson, U of Regina)

"SWEET THUNDER: SONG OF HOPE FOR MIXED-GROUP ADULTS AND PROFESSIONALS 

2-3 HOUR EVENT, FULL DAY OR TWO-DAY RETREAT

For over thirty years, I have been counselling and coaching corporate executives, managers, staff, students, educators and clients individually and in mixed-group settings. I've developed a unique approach based on time-honoured Indigenous teachings, where all members of an organization are integrated into a positive, circular chain of understanding.

---Create teamwork

---Promote Positive Leadership

---Focus on Ideas

--No room for gender bias

---Alleviate Stress

---Concentration, Good Listening

---Authentic and transparent interpersonal communication

---Differences between information and communication

---Build intercultural understanding

---Understanding non-verbal signals

---Adapting to change

---Conflict Resolution

---Enhance performance

Note 1:  Audience maximum 65.

Note 2:  Large open space to accommodate drums and props.

Note 3: Video-taping, photography and recording IS permitted.

Presentation Copyrighted