Image: Imerriot Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Medicine_Wheel_National_Historic_Landmark
The Medicine Wheel is symbolic of a holistic and balanced approach to living and wellbeing, incorporating the four cardinal directions, as well as the four stages of life, seasons, and elements.
The premise of the Medicine Wheel demonstrates a sacred, interconnected, values-based system which can be applied, or used as a guide, across different spaces or sectors including, but not limited to, health, education, justice and social concepts. Sometimes laid out with natural objects such as stones or plants, they would be used ceremoniously, or depicting sacred sites for ritual or celebration.
The Bighorn Medicine Wheel (pictured) is a designated National Landmark located in Wyoming, while The Majorville Medicine Wheel (‘Iniskim Umaapi’) is believed to be one of the oldest of its kind.