Transcript Medicine Wheel Teachings - Wind

Developed By Sharon Meyer
NESD FNMI Consultant September 2015
WindTraditional First Nation people call the air ‘wind’ within the medicine wheel. It is
an element that we cannot live without.
The East gave peace and light, the South gave warmth, The West gave rain and
the North, with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance….The
Wind, in its greatest power whirls.
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/abo-aut/spirit-spiritualite-eng.htm
THE FOUR WINDS
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their
voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They
help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come,
bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our
greetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our minds are one.
http://www.nativewomenscentre.com/files/Traditional_Teachings_Booklet.pdf
Spring
Winter
Summer
Fall
In First Nation teachings the air is named wind because air stands still but wind has and makes
movement. Many of the powwow dances are based on the movement of wind:
Grass Dance:
One of the first dances that prepares the powwow gathering. Traditionally a man’s dance
and their role is to prepare the dance grounds for the other dancers. They make sure to
flatten the grasses for the dance area and make sure the surface is free from any bumps
or holes that could create foot or ankle injuries. The fringes on the regalia represent the
grass and the movement is like the wind moving the grass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeRyoHj_IQA
Mens Grass Dance Special, First Nations University
of Canada Powwow 2011 1:48
Men’s Fancy Dance:
This dance represents how the wind moves on earth. The men wear many colors in
their regalia to represent the show of colors like lightening flashes, wind storms such as
tornados. Many of the movements in the dance involve lots of twists and twirls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzzdnsrWC6Y
Lumbee Spring Pow Wow 2012 Mens Fancy Dance 1:23
Women’s Fancy Dance:
Like the men’s fancy dance the women represent how
the winged ones move in the wind. They represent the
butterflies and bird world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLR_OcWgGfU
Women's fancy dance 1:02
If interested in learning more about powwow dances please refer to the NESD powwow bundle and/or
Curriculum corner –> Instruction –> FNMI art -> FNMIDance
The Wind has many names or is part of causes that have other names:
typoon
Wind
breeze
blizzard
cyclone
puff
Plow wind
whirlwind
chinook
blow
hurricane
flurry
tornado
draft
gust
Can you think of other words that involve the wind?
Wind is helpful by:
Helps fly a kite
Helping us dry clothes
Provides wind power
Helps us to stay cool
How has wind helped you in your life?
Wind can be destructive by:
Plow wind
Tornado
Wind gales
Hurricane
Wind can help spread
wild fires
Dust storm or sand storm
Can you think of other ways that wind can be harmful?
Other sources about the wind:
http://www.spiritsd.ca/learningresources/FNM%20Resources/PreK,%20Four%20Elements,%20Fire,%20Rock,%20Water,%20Wind.pdf
Pre-K Prairie School Division unit on the elements – includes the wind
http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/lore91.html
Legend - The Origin of the Winds
http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/lore101.html
The Warm Wind Brothers vs. The Cold Wind Brothers
http://sinixtnation.org/content/coyote-meets-wind-and-some-others
Coyote Meets Wind and Some Others
http://www.anishinabek.ca/download/Through%20the%20Eyes%20of%20a%20Chil
d%20-%20FN%20Enviro%20Health.pdf
A document ‘Through The Eyes of a Child’ refers to environmental concerns using
the elements of the medicine wheel. Ontario based but excellent reference to
Mother Earth.