Page 10 - The Ogemawahj Tribal Council

3. Create talking stones by following the steps below:
– Wash the stones in soap and water and leave them to dry.
– Have students outline the shape of their stone on paper
and then use that shape to create a design or picture that is
meaningful to them.

– Line desks with newspaper. Using acrylic paint, have students
paint their design/picture on their stone. For best results,
allow the paint to dry between coats.
– Use a marker to add details and the student’s name or initials
on the back of the stone.
– Seal the stone by painting a coat of the white glue mixture
over the top (see Materials for details).
– Cut small pieces of magnetic tape and adhere them to the
back of the stones.
4. Attach all the painted stones to a whiteboard with magnetic tape.

Physical (Reveal) Action, Hands-on

1. Introduce the idea of the medicine wheel as it relates to the four
WEBLINKS LIST elements of self. (See Background Information). This is an ideal
time to invite a local Elder or Knowledge Keeper into your class to
You can find the links
referred to in this guide share some teachings from the medicine wheel. More information
on the weblinks list. can also be found on the Four Directions Teachings website, in the
You can access the list Ojibwe section, or the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition website,
at www.ogemawahj.on.ca
Teachings of the Medicine Wheel. Explain the following:
– First Nations medicine wheel teachings vary by community.
– For thousands of years, First Nations peoples have used
circles as teaching tools based on the cycles evident in nature
(seasons, life cycle, movement of the Sun, Earth, Moon).
– Sacred stone circles dated to 4000 BCE have been found
in Western Canada. They have a centre with stone spokes
radiating outward to an exterior circle.

– Spokes of the circle divide it into 4 equal sections. Depending
on the First Nation teaching, these quadrants may reflect
the 4 directions, 4 seasons, 4 aspects of self, 4 times of life,
4 types of creatures, 4 sacred medicines, 4 races, 4 elements.
Each one of these is interrelated and of equal importance.
– Take the students’ talking stones and place them in the shape
of a medicine wheel on the whiteboard. See Appendix A.
2. You may wish to explain the concept of talking circles again, using
the points in the Connections to the Land section.

8 The Ogemawahj Tribal Council