What is a talking circle and how does it work?

Talking circles, also called “peacemaking circles,” come from the traditions of indigenous people of North America, particularly tribes in the Midwest. Circle processes are based upon equality between participants and the principle of sharing power with each other instead of having power over one another.

How do you use talking circles?

When the talking object is placed in someone's hands; it is that person's turn to share his or her thoughts, without interruption. The object is then passed to the next person in a clockwise direction. Whoever is holding the object has the right to speak and others have the responsibility to listen.

What does the talking circle symbolize?

The TRADITIONAL “TALKING---CIRCLE” is a very old way of bringing NATIVE PEOPLE of all ages together in a quiet, respectful manner for the purposes of TEACHING, LISTENING, LEARNING, SHARING.

How do you organize a talking circle?

When a person is holding the item in a sharing circle, they speak from the heart without interruption. Other people in the circle respectfully listen to the speaker and take in their message. Everyone in the circle gets a chance to hold the Talking Stick and share their thoughts and feelings.

What is talking circle in the classroom?

Talking Circle is a conflict resolution strategy in which a teacher facilitates a private discussion in order to coach students through a problem-solving conversation with a classmate. When a conflict arises, the teacher invites the students involved to a private area of the classroom to join the Talking Circle.

What are Talking

What is a circle meeting?

The circle, or council, is an ancient form of meeting that has gathered human beings into respectful conversation for thousands of years. The circle has served as the foundation for many cultures.

How long is a sharing circle?

Sharing Circles can vary from being a quick one minute check-in to a good ten minutes per person. From there the circle can go around in seating order.

What is a healing circle?

Healing circles are often called hocokah in the Lakota language, which means a sacred circle and is also the word for altar. The hocokah consists of people who sit together in a talking circle, in prayer, in ceremony, and are committed to helping one another and to each other's healing.

How do you make a talking piece?

Create your own values card talking piece.

Invite participants, one after the other, to share and explain their value, then place the card on the floor in front of them. In subsequent go-rounds, they can pick up their card when speaking and place it down when they're done.

Why are circles important to indigenous peoples?

The significance of the circle is evident for Aboriginal people in many ways. The circle is a sacred symbol of the interdependence of all forms of life; the circle is a key symbol in Native spirituality, family structure, gatherings of people, meetings, songs and dances (Pewewardy, 1995).

How do you start a healing circle?

What does the circle symbolize in native spirituality?

The Sacred Circle. The circle has always been an important symbol to the Native American. It represents the sun, the moon, the cycles of the seasons, and the cycle of life to death to rebirth.

What is a Native American prayer circle?

A prayer circle is most simply where participants join hands in a literal circle of prayer, often as part of a vigil. Informal prayer circles have been practiced for centuries.

What are sharing circles?

We are referring to “talking or sharing circles” - bringing youth together in a circle and asking each individual to speak while the rest of the group practices active listening. In youth programs, these circle meetings are often called “sharing circles” or “community circles”.

How do you close a circle meeting?

What does talking piece mean?

1 : a painting of a group of persons in their customary surroundings. 2 : something (such as a novel or unusual object) that stimulates conversation.

What happens in a women's circle?

Women's circles are an opportunity to meet with others from all walks of life and share the wisdom of experience. Rather than carrying on as normal during their menstrual cycle – or attempting to ignore it altogether – women are encouraged to rest and honour a time of natural change in the body.

What are trauma circles?

These Circles explore Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and raise awareness of the prevalence of ACEs throughout society. We've found that sharing, addressing and examining the impacts of childhood trauma through open dialogue creates a tremendous opening for healing to begin.

What is a releasing circle?

Releasing circles also include state actors, but usually come together in prison after an offender has served part of their sentence, and are up for parole (Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime 2011).

How do you lead a lean in a circle?

What is circle of learning Strategy?

Inside-outside circle is a cooperative learning strategy. Students form two concentric circles and take turns on rotation to face new partners to answer or discuss the teacher's questions. This method can be used to gather variety of information, generate new ideas and solve problems.

What is an indigenous talking circle?

Talking circles, also called “peacemaking circles,” come from the traditions of indigenous people of North America, particularly tribes in the Midwest. Circle processes are based upon equality between participants and the principle of sharing power with each other instead of having power over one another.

Do Native Americans believe in God?

We further believe that many of our Native traditions affirm the presence of God, our need for right relationship with our Creator and the world around us, and a call for holy living.

What are the four sacred directions?

As part of the Lakota culture, when people pray or do anything sacred, they see the world as having Four Directions. From these Four Directions — west, north, east, south — come the four winds.

Why are circles sacred?

“The circle symbol meaning is universal, sacred and divine. It represents the infinite nature of energy, and the inclusivity of the universe. Our ancient kin observed a circular aspect to the cycles of time, specifically in the movements of the seasons.