Indigenous Philosophy and Worldviews

Today, we will delve into the rich tapestry of Indigenous philosophy, focusing on the concept of circularity as it applies to Indigenous worldviews. But before we begin, let's take a moment to define some key terms.

A worldview is a particular philosophy of life or conception of the world. It's a comprehensive system of beliefs, values, and ideas that an individual or group holds and uses to interpret the world around them. It's like a lens through which we view reality and make sense of life and the world.

Philosophy, on the other hand, is the study of fundamental questions about existence, reality, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and ethics. It's a way of thinking about the world, the universe, and society. It works by asking very basic questions about the nature of human thought, the nature of the universe, and the connections between them.

Unlike Western philosophy, Indigenous philosophy is not a set of abstract ideas. Instead, it is a lived experience, a way of life that is deeply intertwined with the natural world. It is a holistic perspective that sees all elements of the universe as interconnected and interdependent.

One of the key concepts in Indigenous philosophy is the Medicine Wheel, a central emblem in Indigenous philosophy, is a symbol of holistic interconnectedness and balance. It is a teaching and learning framework widely used in Indigenous communities across North America, including our local communities here in Saskatchewan. The Medicine Wheel expands on the cognitive (mental), psychomotor (physical), and affective (emotional) domains to add the fourth quadrant, spiritual, as being essential for balance in curricular design that supports students in their learning goals1.

The Medicine Wheel is not just a symbol; it is a way of life, encompassing all aspects of existence. It is a guide on any journey, including the educational process. While there is some variation in its teachings and representations, the underlying web of meaning to Medicine Wheels remains the same: the importance of appreciating and respecting the ongoing interconnectedness and interrelatedness of all things2.

Let's take a moment to visualize the Medicine Wheel. It begins by making a circle. Superimposed on this circle are four equidistant points. These points symbolically identify the power or medicine of the four directions (east, south, west, north) using four different colors. The final drawing resembles a compass for human understanding2.

In Indigenous philosophy, time is viewed as cyclical, not linear. This concept is reflected in the Medicine Wheel's four quadrants, which can represent the four seasons, the stages of life, and the times of day. This cyclical view of time emphasizes the ongoing nature of life and the importance of each stage in the cycle.

The Medicine Wheel also teaches us about the interconnectedness of all things. This is a crucial aspect of Indigenous philosophy. Everything in the universe is connected, and every action has an impact on something else. This interconnectedness extends to our relationships with each other, with nature, and with ourselves.

The Medicine Wheel can also serve as a framework for improving mental well-being. Elders have identified strategies for mental wellness such as participating in and contributing to the community; finding a sense of meaning and purpose; taking part in spiritual activities such as sweats, ceremonies, and round dances; connecting with the land; and gaining knowledge and strength from sharing histories and stories3.

In Saskatchewan, the Medicine Wheel's teachings have been applied in various ways. For instance, the Anishinaabe Bimaadiziwin Cultural Healing and Learning Program is a culture-based school that uses Medicine Wheel pedagogy. The program creates a schooling environment that reflects Indigenous culture and instills traditional values while providing the students with the skills they need to “survive” in the modern world2.

Moreover, the Medicine Wheel can also be used as a framework for environmental decision-making processes of Indigenous peoples. It can help in understanding the interconnectedness and interrelatedness of all things, which is crucial in making decisions that affect the environment4.

In conclusion, the Indigenous philosophy and worldview, as represented by the Medicine Wheel, offer us a holistic, interconnected, and balanced perspective on life. It teaches us the importance of all aspects of our being - mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual - and how they interconnect with the world around us. It is a philosophy that we can all learn from and apply in our lives, regardless of our cultural backgrounds.

References

• Switching from Bloom to the Medicine Wheel: creating learning outcomes that support Indigenous ways of knowing in post-secondary education ↩

• Teaching by the Medicine Wheel | Education Canada Magazine ↩ ↩2 ↩3

• Look to the medicine wheel for mental health, Elders advise in First Nations study ↩

• The Medicine Wheel: Environmental Decision-Making Process of Indigenous Peoples ↩

• Nēhîthâwâk of Reindeer Lake, Canada: Worldview, Epistemology and Relationships with the Natural World ↩

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• My World Is Not Your World: Sit and Listen and We Can Learn Together ↩ ↩2