Story Info
Story Info
Shemmaho Goodenough
Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada
2023
Type of Wounded Place
Story & Experience
We gathered at the site, arriving over about 20 minutes, and we were ready to start around 11:00. We looked the site over, which was in the sun, then made a circle near there in the shade to talk over our process. Three of us had participated in the Global Earth Exchange before, but the rest of us hadn’t, so I explained what it was to the best of my ability, and Sarah added to my explanation to round out the story. I had decided I wanted to put a medicine wheel for healing in a place that would be easy for people to reach and use over the year(s). Previously I had asked Reverend Robin if we could consider putting a medicine wheel on church property, and she suggested a place in the rear that had had a boat parked there with a tarp over it, where various unhoused and transient people had spent a night or two over the previous colder months. So, between the pain and the heartbreak of the unhoused, and the heartbreak and pain the church is committed to reconciling we thought this was a good place to put down a working wheel.
Today we sat in the shade and shared our thoughts and intentions, then went over and together placed eight stones for the four directions. Four inner stones that outlined the center, and four outer stones that were on the perimeter. We all participated in figuring out where to place the stones, and it came out perfect. We then gathered materials for the group art, which was made into a circle around the inner stones, representing the unity and intersectionality required for true healing of the devastating consequences of human behavior. We took the required photos, went back to our seats to share a meal, close the circle, and go our separate ways.
We gathered at the site, arriving over about 20 minutes, and we were ready to start around 11:00. We looked the site over, which was in the sun, then made a circle near there in the shade to talk over our process. Three of us had participated in the Global Earth Exchange before, but the rest of us hadn’t, so I explained what it was to the best of my ability, and Sarah added to my explanation to round out the story. I had decided I wanted to put a medicine wheel for healing in a place that would be easy for people to reach and use over the year(s). Previously I had asked Reverend Robin if we could consider putting a medicine wheel on church property, and she suggested a place in the rear that had had a boat parked there with a tarp over it, where various unhoused and transient people had spent a night or two over the previous colder months. So, between the pain and the heartbreak of the unhoused, and the heartbreak and pain the church is committed to reconciling we thought this was a good place to put down a working wheel.
Today we sat in the shade and shared our thoughts and intentions, then went over and together placed eight stones for the four directions. Four inner stones that outlined the center, and four outer stones that were on the perimeter. We all participated in figuring out where to place the stones, and it came out perfect. We then gathered materials for the group art, which was made into a circle around the inner stones, representing the unity and intersectionality required for true healing of the devastating consequences of human behavior. We took the required photos, went back to our seats to share a meal, close the circle, and go our separate ways.
Why this Place?
Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada
This place was chosen because it was accessible and we could return on a regular basis.
Act of Beauty
Say more about your actions and activity
Because this is on the United Church property, we presented its presence during the church service the next day, which is the indigenous day of prayer for the United church of Canada. We had created a place of beauty and healing that people could feel, even though they were not there the day before. I believe we will continue to enhance this Wheel over the seasons, and create a vortex of healing energy for the Castlegar area.
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