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First Nations K'ool Gyet (One People) Sweet Thunder Inspirit Medicine Wheel Workshops/Seminars & Speakers' Bureau

Power of Purpose Lies in Recognizing Spirit's Common Sense

Proudly in business since 1991

"EAGLE THUNDER"
New Presentation - See
Description below

The Story of
"Hope"

1 Day CBC Television - Shannon Thunderbird Video

WHAT IS A MEDICINE WHEEL?

It is the the original social & business media network of positive interaction. It is a different way of developing strength of character for personal and professional pro-active change.

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. The teachings were developed as a means of providing their everyone with a strong sense of purpose within the tribe. A Medicine Wheel was traditionally constructed by the laying of stones each representing a character trait, (e.g. self-esteem), that was first discussed with the Elders and then laid in a circle in a specific pattern. As more teachings were introduced the medicine wheel grew larger and larger.

Over time, tribal members learned the value of counteracting racism with teamwork, jealousy with self-respect, gender bias and gender choices with acceptance, fear with courage, hate with love. Everyone was valued for who they were and the talents they brought to the community. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Click Fire for more on the Medicine Wheel

We are always going to need someone to stand by us. Listen and be inspired.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

"We're still here, and we live on this land. We don't live in your libraries in the pages of your books. Our world is not for digging up our pottery, or for digging up our bones....We have a long surviving and sacred tradition and an experiential wisdom that's been passed on for more centuries than you can imagine. This is your chance to benefit from that. All you have to do is be quiet and listen and quit worrying about proving and start believing."
(Wallace 'Mad Bear' Anderson - Tuscarora Holy Man & Activist,
Tuscarora Nation of the Six-Nation Haudenosaunne Confederacy)

WHAT IS MEDICINE WHEEL COMMUNICATION?

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 and increased stress.

---Less Stress, More Balance, Love of Self, Spiritual Grounding and Personal Value - cornerstones of "Hopeful Medicine Wheel Inspirit" living.

-Hope dwells at a primal level in the mists of our ancient brains. It is essential to life.

-A lack of Hope occurs when we feel that our voices are unheard, when there is no sense of ownership, when we feel powerless instead of empowered.

--Hope focuses on the importance of recognizing your value as a person and a citizen. We matter. We so often feel that we don't.

--Sweet Thunder also contains pragmatic bear medicine in finding ways to get in touch with raising the level of personal consciousness to influence overall health and well-being.

My messages are conveyed combining a variety of elements: Interactive building of a human medicine wheel, lively discussion and sharing, Thunder WOlf drummiong circles that are all ); time-honoured traditional teachings are set in contemporary contexts.

Contemporary Sweet Thunder Medicine Wheel Teaches you to:

--Access and understand the freedom and responsibility that owning your personal power brings to the dance of life.

--Understand the 'tricky' laws of the mind, which includes recognizing self-defeating messages and negative attitudes.

--Quiet your inner chatter, centre your mind and reconnect with yourself in a safe, fun and self-empowered environment.

--Have a good laugh at your own expense. It lightens the load.

--Know the difference between Information and Communication.

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

FOR PROFESSIONALS

"SWEET THUNDER" MEDICINE WHEEL

2-3 HOUR EVENT, FULL DAY OR RETREAT

For thirty years, I have been counselling and coaching corporate executives, managers, staff, students, educators and clients. 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

---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

My approach is very interactive; it is a time to become empowered by a strong sense of self-confidence and a fearless broadening of personal goals. The Medicine Wheel is a tangible mechanism upon which the power of clear, positive communication among, individuals, families, business associates, communities and nations can be focused.

Drumming and Vocal Circles are powerful components of the process. Hand drums, Shakers, Moonstone & K'oolgyet Na Hool Big Drums.

"Shannon's workshop gave employees a sense of value and safety. Her years of experience have given her profound insight....Using her traditional teachings and extraordinary communication skills she offered very inspiring messages and in such a relevant and entertaining way!" (Motorola Canada)

"What a fabulous day. I can't think of a better way to bring us all together than building a human medicine wheel. I laughed, cried, you were wonderful, your energy and compassion is simply inspiring." (Canada Employment & Immigration Union)

"I would like to thank you for an outstanding luncheon key note presentation at the Human Resources conference....You engaged the hearts and minds of our delegates and opened them to embracing change and connectedness on a meaningful level.: (Conference Board of Canada)

For more on the Medicine Wheel

Presentation Copyrighted

STAND BY ME MUSIC VIDEO

We all need someone

FOR POST-SECONDARY SPEAKERS' BUREAU

LECTURES/SEMINARS

---Justice, Indigenous Rights and Restorative Justice. Examining the Canadian Criminal Justice system and the incarceration of First Nations people.

---Seven Steps to the Colonization of North America's Indigenous People. How it began, Why it happened, Where are we now?

---Medicine Wheel & Character Education in the 21st Century. Hope, Synergy and Faith.

---Women & Leadership. When the maple trees start dying from the top, women will take back the drum.

---Earth, Air, Fire, Water: Colonial Greed and the Destruction of the Natural World. First Nations People, the first environmentalists are being called back.

---Wisdom of the Ages: Art and Magic of Indigenous Storytelling. The soul and cultural grounding of Indigenous people.

---Cultural Diversity and Race and Racism. Cultural and human diversity are strengths not weaknesses.

"One of the best three hours I've spent learning and understanding more about the plight of First Nations people in this country. Shannon was clear, concise, unemotional and non-accusatory. It was quite simply an enlightening, and yes funny experience. She has a lot of humour and compassion." (Student, Brock University)

"Shannon is a mesmerizing storyteller. She has the ability to place us at the scene in a gentle, non-intrusive manner. I could have listened to her all day." (Participant, IDEA Conference, Ottawa)

FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS

"EAGLE THUNDER"

Character Education and the Story of "HOPE" through First Nations Narratives, Improvisational Theatre, Drums and Vocals

Artists: Shannon Thunderbird and Sandy Horne

Let me tell you a story. A story about the magic and mystery of First Nations people who have lived upon this land far past living memory, deep into the time of legend. In a nutshell,

First Nations knowledge and spirituality is based on our ties to the land and to the Medicine Wheel Teachings. It is a profound understanding of the deep connection between the temporal world and the upper world. It is a refinement of thought and feeling that rests above the profane. It is the growth of the soul to embrace mindfulness; staying in the present and acting in non-judgemental ways which creates an entrance to our souls, where our life's journey starts on a path of seeking the truth of our existence. Walking an earth walk with good character, grace and no bullying is all good!

Eagle Thunder is an entertaining First Nations experience that dispels myths, stereotypes and biases about First Nations people by offering an accurate world view from a Native perspective. At the same time, students are introduced to Anti-bullying Medicine Wheel/Character Education themes through stories, songs and drums.

Songs are sung in a variety of Native languages, Mohawk, Tsimshian, Tuscarora, Ojibwa, Lakhota, Cherokee, Seneca

STORY THEMES: Bullying, cyber-bullying (There is nothing new under Grandfather Sun - the ancient story of the invention of the Internet is told), jealousy, hate, despair, abandonment, lack of self-esteem, peer pressure, body image, broken promises, arrogance, gossip.

Stories always include the balance of how good thoughts and 'right' action can balance the scales by using the power of: love, respect, teamwork, being good enough, inner peace, humility, honour, courage, and truth. At the same time, it also really good to have a good laugh at our own expense. The presentation is entitled, "Eagle Thunder" because Eagle flies the highest of all the winged ones and brings messages of hope, wisdom, peace and courage to the people. It doesn't get much better than that!

Note 1: Audience maximum up to 400.

Note 2: Stage or large open space to accommodate drums and props.

Note 3: Video-taping, photography and recording are not permitted.

"What a pleasure it was meeting you during your FAME visit. You are such a wonderful, wise and beautiful woman and I truly enjoyed learning from you! You are a fascinating storyteller that just leave you wanting to hear more." (T. Irmscher, Foundation of Music and Arts Education, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

FOR YOUTH

"SWEET THUNDER MEDICINE WHEEL IN THE 21ST CENTURY"

Three Hour, Full Day or PROJECT-BASED (2-5 DAYS)

"What the Ministry of Education calls "Character Education" I know as "Medicine Wheel Teachings."

“How do I please my parents with good social choices and grades in order to get into a good university? How do I keep my friends happy while trying to figure out who to trust and who to keep away from? How can I be accepted by everyone and maintain my self-esteem? How do I maintain a relationship with a boy while trying to be myself and not give in to peer pressure?” (Teen Blog, Internet)

Many of today's youth are concerned with issues that include bullying, cyber-bullying, self-esteem, personal courage and body image. Sweet Thunder Medicine Wheel are presented in a thoughtful and entertaining way that allows students to create a medicine wheel representing their own contemporary concerns. This allows them, for example, to counteract racism with teamwork, jealousy with self-respect, gender bias and gender choices with acceptance, fear with courage, hate with love.

Drumming, Vocals, Improvisational Theatre are powerful components of the process and students enjoy playing authentic Native hand drums, two big drums (Moonstone & K'oolgyet Na Hool) and shakers.

ISSUES ADDRESSED:

---Increasing self-esteem through re-discovering personal courage.

---Grounding our youth in the truth of who they are as people of great value.

---To be a warrior of peace requires courage, leadership, determination, and effort. Bullying, jealousy, hate, despair, abandonment, lack of self-esteem, peer pressure, how technology changes things.

---Building a Medicine Wheel shows students that good thoughts and right action can balance the scales by using the powers of: joy, love, respect, teamwork, acceptance of self and others

---Figuring it out that it is okay to have a good laugh at our own expense.

"Your presentation had a great impression on me, and I think you are an incredible and inspirational woman. I learned a lot about Native beliefs and customs, and felt you really taught what we lack in class....You brought a sense of humility and understanding...and I was deeply touched by the messages. You are an amazing woman, and I think you are doing a great thing to help non-aboriginals understand your people. I would love to meet you and see you perform again. I feel privileged to have met you even once. Thank you so much. You have had a lasting impression on me and my classmates." (CC, Madill High School, Wingham, ON)

"Shannon is passionate about bringing her peoples' story to the youth of Canada. I have observed her workshops many times here in our corner of rural Ontario and she continues to engage our young people in a very memorable interaction. Her message is one of understanding and respect and her new workshop on the teachings of the Medicine Wheel dovetail beautifully into the Character Traits teachings in our schools." (L. McGregor, Foundation for Enriching Education)

Grade 12 students from the following Ontario high schools: Wingham, Goderich,

Listowell Secondary School

Click here for a Student Statement on Sweet Thunder Medicine Wheel, from the Northwestern Voice

Presentation Copyrighted

TO BOOK A PRESENTATION
VOICE@SHANNONTHUNDERBIRD.COM

(Where applicable, Fees do not include mileage, airfare, hotel accommodation, per diem)

"Shannon Thunderbird's ability to reach people with her "soul speak" messages appealed to the diverse group at the conference. She was truly amazing." (A. Michaels, Engineer)

"Thanks for your inspiring and stimulating lecture on Canada's incarceration of Aboriginal people. It was sobering, enlightening and couched in gentle humour." (G.E.)

MORE GENERAL THEMES THAT RUN THROUGH PRESENTATIONS

---Teamwork, Consensus, the hallmarks of Indigenous cultures.

---Focus on ideas with concentration and good listening skills.

---Adapting to change, alleviating stress, conflict resolution, enhancing performance.

---Understanding non-verbal signals.

---Courageous Communication: Centre the mind and embrace authentic and transparent interpersonal communication.

---The power of cultural and human diversity.

---Educating Educators: Politics, Social Studies, Justice, History, Music, Dramatic Arts, Native Studies.

---Women and Leadership.

---Really getting it about self-empowerment.

---Achieving personal goals, positive attitudes, improving relationships, "lightening up!"

---Traditional thinking is not old-fashioned thinking.

---Rest and Contemplation: Essential Life and Business skills.

---Intercultural understanding and gender communication.

---Authenticity, responsibility and accountability.

"Shannon, I hardly have the words to thank you and Sandy adequately. I've received lots of positive e-mails about the event, and verbal 'enthusiasms' too. I'm not sure how you'd follow up on such an amazing day, but many have suggested bringing you back next year (works for me! ), I knew we were going to have a wonderful day together, but who could predict that it would turn out the way it did. It is the single best example of team building that I have ever seen. Your personal power is awesome, and your ability to read the people in front of you is truly a gift." (Education and Learning Centre)

"Thank you for your beautiful demonstration and words of wisdom. It was very much appreciated."
(Crime Stoppers Committee, AB Lucas High School, London)

Photos below: Faculty Event, Northern College, Timmins, ON


My hardworking Assistant for the day, Corporate Trainer, Chris Pohlkamp	Thunderbird	Vocal, Breathing Warm-up, Having Fun, Getting Set for the Day

Totem Pole Exercise		Group Speaker, Explaining Decisions

Big Drum: K'ool Gyet Nah Hool, Moonstone		Gorgeous Location, Outside on S. Porcupine Campus

BOOK A PRESENTATION FOR YOUR CONFERENCE, CONVENTION, MEETING, SEMINAR OR OTHER EVENT

voice@shannonthunderbird.com

(Where applicable, Fees do not include mileage, airfare, hotel accommodation, per diem)