First Nations Faith, Religion and Spirituality

Aboriginal Education and Native Studies Resources from David Spencer's Education Paragon

• Connect with Aboriginal elders and educators and join the First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario formerly the Native Education Association of Ontario Circle (NEAO Circle) and previously The Aboriginal and Environmental Education Circle (AEE Circle). The NEAO Circle was a professional learning and sharing network of educators, teachers, college instructors, university professors, Aboriginal elders and leaders. Through e-mail, they shared First Nation, Metis and Inuit and native studies resources, curriculum and teaching strategies that will help Canadian teachers integrate school curriculum with current cultural, environmental and historical contributions of our Canadian First Nations, Inuit and Metis brothers and sisters.
• Join the First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario on Facebook.
• See photos and read about past gatherings of The Aboriginal and Environmental Education Circle (AEE Circle).
• Join the First Nation, Metis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario (FNMIEAO) the Ontario Ministry of Education recognized provincial subject association for teachers and educators of First Nation, Metis & Inuit Studies and Native Languages. From 2011 to May 2014, this subject association was previously called the Native Education Association of Ontario (NEAO). Special thanks to Marg Boyle for her three years of leadership, encouragement and support.
• The shortcut to this page is http://aboriginal.davidspencer.ca.

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First Nations Faith, Religion and Spirituality

1. Native History from Mary Toll's Genealogy Treasures
2. Aboriginal Spirituality Europeans discovered a rich and complex spirituality among the Aboriginal peoples, who believed in the existence of a supreme being. The Iroquois called this being "the one to whom all things belong;" the Outaouais referred to "the master spirit of life." Nearly all the Aboriginal peoples shared a belief in the flood, "a worldwide deluge in which all mankind died [except] one elder from each nation [who] was saved with his family and a few animals because he had the presence of mind to have a great canoe built."
3. EFC Council for Aboriginal Ministry Leaders The Aboriginal Ministries Council brings together Aboriginal Christian leaders from various communities across Canada. The Council acts as a bridge between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Church, seeking to provide resources that will enhance communications and enrich the Church as a whole.
4. Learning From an Aboriginal Perspective on the Gospel written by Ray Aldred, chair of the EFC's Aboriginal Ministries Council, is a native church leader who is bringing fresh insights on the relationship between faith and culture.
5. The term "medicine wheel" was first applied to the Big Horn Medicine Wheel in Wyoming, the most southern one known. That site consists of a central cairn or rock pile surrounded by a circle of stone; lines of cobbles link the central cairn and the surrounding circle. The whole structure looks rather like a wagon wheel lain-out on the ground with the central cairn forming the hub, the radiating cobble lines the spokes, and the surrounding circle the rim. The "medicine" part of the name implies that it was of religious significance to Native peoples.
6. The term "Medicine Wheel" is not a native term. Initially it was used in the late 1800's and early 1900 by Americans of European descent in reference to the Bighorn Medicine Wheel located near Sheridan, Wyoming. Later, research on the Plains identified other features characterized by a variety of stone circles and spoke configurations. Because of general similarities to the Bighorn Wheel, the term "Medicine Wheel" was extended to describe them as well.
7. The teachings of the Medicine Wheel were originally explained orally with the circle being drawn in the earth and a gradual overlaying of symbols, as meanings were explained by an elder. The elder would begin with an explanation of the Four Directions and the center of the wheel which represents the Sacred Mystery.
8. A medicine wheel is a physical manifestation of Spiritual energy.
9. Spirituality and Creation Stories Edukit from the Alberta Heritage Community Foundation
10. The Story of Turtle Island
11. Spirituality from the University of Saskatchewan Library
12. Canadian First Nations Religion & Spirituality Resources from AcademicInfo
13. Native Spirituality Guide from the RCMP Aboriginal Policing Services
14. First Nations Tech from HopeLink International a non-profit, Christian, humanitarian agency
15. Guide to the North American ethnographic collections at the University of Pennsylvania Museum
16. Aboriginal Culture from Bob Kennedy of turtleisland.org
17. Explore Native-American storytelling as you listen to four Native storytellers from PBS.org

Medicine Wheel

1. The Medicine Wheel is one of the most important teachings in native North American culture. resource from the canadachannel.ca

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