Skip navigation Syracuse University Humanities Center

The Medicine Wheel as a Framework for Understanding Disabilities: Informing Our Future Thinking, Informing Our Future Actions

Time: Oct. 23, 2020, 10 a.m. - noon

Location: Virtual Event

Part of the Syracuse Symposium

Part of the Syracuse Symposium series.

Hilary Weaver (University at Buffalo)

The Medicine Wheel is a powerful symbol for many Native Americans and it contains many layers of meaning. Through this workshop, Weaver explores how components of the Medicine Wheel can be used to understand traditional Indigenous ideas about disabilities. Participants will engage with relevant Native American teachings and interpretations to understand how they can inform our understanding of different abilities of Mind, Body, Spirit, and Heart. Discussion focuses on how we can work toward change, both for individuals and on a large scale, to reduce stigma and “othering,” toward a better future in our shared world.

Please contact Sarah Nunes Korcz to register for either Hilary Weaver's talk or workshop.

Image descriptions, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, and live captioning will be provided. Please indicate any other accommodations requests when RSVPing.

This is event is part of Syracuse Symposium’s year-long series on “Futures.”

An opportunity for NY State licensed social workers: The School of Social Work Continuing Education Program is offering FREE CE contact hours for this event. If you are eligible and interested in obtaining free CE’s for this event, please express interest upon registration. Earn up to four Continuing Education contact hours on October 22nd (2 CE’s) and October 23rd (2 CE’s). Syracuse University, School of Social Work is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0106. Please visit the Falk College website for more information. 


Additional supporters:

  • Falk College
  • The Office of Diversity and Inclusion
  • Department of Religion
  • Native American and Indigenous Studies
  • Native American SUNY: Western Consortium

Diane Wiener, Burton Blatt Institute