Sacred Turtle

The Turtle symbolizes the bringing forth of the first land mast from the bottom of the Sea. The seven sections of the shell represent their eventual separation which formed the seven continents.

Great Spirit

The Turtle sits on the Eye of the Great Spirit, who's blue color represents the Sea. The blue points of the Great Spirit symbolizes the four Spiritual Directions: East - the beginning of life from where the Sun rises; South - change from the southern winds bringing forth seasonal renewal to the Earth; West - the path of souls where Man must cross a body of water for his soul to enter the spirit world; North - completes the Circle of Life and represents strength and endurance.

Humankind

The Spiritual Directions point to the four colors of Man. The Eye of the Great Spirit is watching over the four races from all directions. The green outer rim of the Medicine Wheel circles the four races of Humankind and ties them together in brotherhood.

Six Colors

Each of the six colors represents one of the Ojibway's "Six Aims": White - symbolizes Purity to the Ojibway as with their belief of Purity of Heart, represented in the first Aim; Black - symbolizes Foundation to the Ojibway as with their belief of maintaining a strong, iron-like bond between parent and child, represented in the second Aim; Red - symbolizes Love to the Ojibway as with their belief of the love that flows through the blood of one's Sacred Family Circle, represented in the third Aim; Yellow - symbolizes Illumination to the Ojibway as with their belief of being bright and attentive to the messages and signs provided by the Great Spirit, their fellow man, and their surroundings, represented in the fourth Aim; Blue - symbolizes Healing to the Ojibway as with their belief of resolving friction and maintaining harmony with all who are blanketed under the blue Sky, represented in the fifth Aim; Green - symbolizes Growth to the Ojibway as with their respect for their environment and taking only what they need, represented in the sixth Aim.

Feathers

The attachable feathers indicate which of the four program versions the wearer is enrolled. It also allows the Medicine Wheel Patch to be personalized. Each family participant is represented by a feather. The child participant would attach two feathers to his or her Medicine Wheel Patch: one to represent the child (Son or Daughter feather) and one to represent the parent (Dad or Mom feather). The parent would attach two or more feathers; one to represent him or herself (Dad or Mom feather) and one for each enrolled child. A dad enrolled with one son would have a Dad and Son feather. A dad enrolled with two sons would have a Dad and two Son feathers. If the parent used the same vest for two programs, both a Son and Daughter feather could be added.

Each of our local longhouses can opt to sell their own longhouse-name feathers which can be added to the outside of the Medicine Wheel. Colors for these special feathers are determined by the local longhouse. Members should inquire and order directly through their local longhouse.

What Our Headband Means

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