Our talking Stick

I made a talking stick for our classroom to use in our sharing circles. We use a talking stick to make sure we all get a turn to speak and to show respect to the speaker. The person holding the talking stick gets to speak. I tried to incorporate some First Nations symbols on my talking stick. I have the following symbols: 

Circle of Courage (Medicine Wheel) & an Eagle

"The medicine wheel contains four quadrants of life each representing a certain aspect of holistic make-up: intellectual, spiritual, physical and emotional self. The four colours represent the four directions: red, yellow, white and blue (or black, green or darker colours depending on the Aboriginal group). Four is a very significant number in Aboriginal culture."

Taken from this website.

Inukshuk (to represent the Inuit)

"The inukshuk were left as messages fixed in time and space. They may represent personal notes or a grief marking where a loved one perished. They act as markers to indicate people who knew how to survive on the land living in a traditional way."
Taken from this website. 

Drum

"Traditionally given to men for ceremony and prayer. The drum is the heartbeat of the Earth, and feeds our spirit. The drum has the spirit of the deer and the tree that were offered as a gift from the Creator for the drum, and it guides people home."

Taken from this website. 


Turtle
"Symbolizing Mother Earth, the turtle is depicted with 13 inner markings, each representing a cycle of the Earth around the sun. There are 28 smaller outer markings of the shell representing the days of each cycle."
Taken from this website. 


Buffalo
"The buffalo symbolizes subsistence, strength and the ability to survive. The buffalo is a spiritual animal as it provided so many things, food, clothing, shelter, tools, etc."
Taken from this website. 

Eagle Feather
"The eagle feather is a symbol of truth, power and freedom. The dark and light colours represent balance. It is a very high honour to receive an eagle feather, and usually marks a milestone. When one holds the eagle feather, one must speak the truth in a positive way, showing respect at all times."
Taken from this website. 

Beads (to represent the Metis)

An explanation of all these symbols can be found at this website: 

University of Saskatchewan - Aboriginal Symbols