Using the Medicine Wheel as theory, conceptual framework, analysis, and evaluation tool in health research

Abstract

The Medicine Wheel is used in many Indigenous communities across Turtle Island (North America) with many different teachings and symbolisms. The Medicine Wheel is a circle with four equal quadrants representing vast teachings, which are specific to local First Nations, which can used as the conceptual framework as well as theory. Through a rapid narrative review of literature on the Medicine Wheel and associated uses as well as the authors’ Anishinaabe teachings, we examine four research uses of the Medicine Wheel in academics and with Indigenous community research to apply it as a theory, conceptual framework, analysis, and evaluation practices. The Medicine Wheel ontologies and epistemologies lend the teachings to be used as a conceptual framework (visual representation of a research project), evaluation framework (as a methodology for conducting research), a data analysis tool (providing a method to see patterns, themes, and connections not easily seen in linear research methods), and the multi-layered knowledge within the Medicine Wheel can be seen as a theory for examining Indigenous research with an Indigenous lens instead of western worldviews or theories. We provide examples of how the Medicine Wheel can be used through the Anishinaabe teachings of the Medicine Wheel. It is possible to expand our abilities to see patterns, themes, connections, and wholism by looking beyond linear positivistic methods through many ways to use Medicine Wheel teachings.