1 Lesson Four: Healing Circles
Overview
(Pawis-Steckley, n.d.).
Healing circles have been a fundamental part of Indigenous traditional healing practices for many years worldwide. A healing circle is a method of promoting healing that is based on Indigenous traditional belief systems. It is a form of group support for individuals struggling with addictions, violence, grief, trauma and more.
Process:
- Each circle opens with smudging (lesson six), a cleansing ceremony to be healed or help to heal others of negative thoughts, bad spirits, and negative energy.
- In the circle, items such as the four medicines (lesson six), a candle, a shell filled with water, a smudge bowl, eagle feather, a talking stick, and a hand drum can be placed in the centre.
- As everyone sits in a circle, the Circle Keepers (who assist in the preparation, facilitation, and maintenance of the process) smudge themselves and the items in the centre, then go in a circle and smudge each person.
- While the Circle Keepers are smudging everyone, the other Circle Keepers sing or drum as a form of prayer.
- Once complete the smudging, everyone holds hands for an opening prayer.
- Everyone then introduces themselves while holding an object, such as an eagle feather or talking stick, and is then passed around the circle in a clockwise direction.
- Whoever holds the eagle feather or talking stick is respected with silence and no interruption. They may speak what they wish with no time limit or pass to the next person. When the eagle feather or talking stick has made a complete circle, everyone stands up, completing the circle with a closing prayer.
*Disclaimer* this is an example of a healing circle and some protocols may vary.
The goals of healing circles are:
- To begin the healing process,
- To promote understanding,
- To prevent or solve problems,
- To build trust,
- To share common experiences,
- To learn from others and learn about life.
The following video is by Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour (SNIWWOC Canada), based in British Columbia. It discusses healing circles, the teachings, and the basic foundations of healing circles in Indigenous cultures.
- Video: https://youtu.be/q34F9Rtt6cU