The Indigenous Education Holistic Lifelong Learning Framework is a document published by the Calgary Board of Education in 2021 to help guide educators and students in their learning through traditional ways of knowing. It is based on the medicine wheel, an Indigenous symbol of health, healing, and balance. The colours of the wheel may be different depending on where you live, but in the Traditional Blackfoot Territory of Treaty 7, the colours are white, black, red, and yellow. To the north is the white segment that represents the mind (“to know”). This segment represents knowledge, purpose, and the ability to learn and lead. To the east is the yellow segment, which symbolizes the spirit (“to be”). This segment represents one’s identity, history, and well-being. The heart (“to belong”) is represented by the red segment to the south. The heart holds our sense of belonging, connectedness, and community, as well as our feelings. Finally, the black segment to the west represents our body (“to do”), the land, our physical being, our independence and our ability to collaborate. Sometimes in the middle will be a green circle representing a balance of all four segments (Empowering the Spirit, n.d.). The medicine wheel symbolizes many things and is interpreted in a number of ways depending on the nation. As a mindfulness tool, the symbolism of the mind, spirit, heart, and body are the focus.

<aside> 💡 For more information on medicine wheels and how to incorporate them into your teaching practice, see Empowering the Spirit.

</aside>

Incorporate the medicine wheel into your mindfulness practice by first teaching students about the wheel’s history and what it represents. Guide students through using the wheel as a tool to check in and see where they are at. For example, a student feeling distracted might not be in balance with the mind, the white segment. Another angry student acting destructively might need a reminder to balance with the heart, the red segment to the south.