HIV/AIDS Medicine Wheel Teachings
In order to understand HIV/AIDS better, and to help prevent the spread of this deadly disease, I believe its important for ALL of us to look at the WHOLE picture.
For the past nine years I have sat across from newly diagnosed people, family members of someone newly diagnosed, or worse still….have attended ONE TOO MANY funerals of someone dying of "cancer" much too young.. their family members either in total shock over what the death certificate actually reads, and occasionally, families maintaining a pact of silence, afraid of what the neighbours, the community will say.
I recall several years ago, attending an AIDS Conference and helping to raise funds there so that a participant could fly home to say goodbye to his people. They had disowned him years before having learned that he identified as gay. This, his last journey home, would be the beginning of the end for him, as his family slammed the door in his face.
It is in his memory that I include these Teachings on my website, so that no ONE else need die alone... so that with this knowledge we can all do our share to help PREVENT the spread of this deadly disease.
I strongly recommend you follow these Teachings in order: East, South, West and North.
Miigwetch Wendaam to my Teachers, Elders and Ancestors for these Teachings.
I ask ONLY that you use them wisely and respectfully. PLEASE ASK BEFORE REPRINTING THEM ANYWHERE. It is with great honour that I share these teachings with you.
I AM AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE THESE TEACHINGS MORE FULLY, AT AIDS OR HEALTH WORKSHOPS OR CONFERENCES. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL ME AT
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waabnongkwe@hotmail.com
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To help you understand how the Medicine Wheel works, lets use the situation of "John Doe", my friend mentioned above.
SCENERIO:
John grew up on a rez in eastern Canada. He was one of 8 children born to a poor indian couple. His family, not unlike many, lived from pay cheque to pay cheque. During hunting season they tried to save as much meat as they could. Always considered a "sensitive child", John was never allowed to hunt with his father, uncles or cousins.
John's mother had a small garden in her backyard.
Most Saturday nights found his mother at the local Bingo Hall and his father in town in one bar or another. Basically the eldest child at home at any given time was given the added responsibility of taking care of the younger children.
When John was 14 he decided to seek a better life elsewhere. He headed for Toronto, a city which promised a better future. Unable to find work, John found himself amidst the drug houses, the gay bath scenes and soon became a regular in all the local bars. He began prostituting to feed his drug habit and for survival.
During this time, he had little contact with his family. He phoned home on Mothers Day, Fathers Day and occasionally visited for Christmas. During these brief contacts, he told his family he worked in a restaurant. John always hid his sexuality from his family.
In 1994 John attended the funerals of many of his friends and lovers. One by one they were being buried. It was at this time that he decided it was time for him to be tested for HIV as well.
He tested positive.
A few months later he returned to his rez, hoping to tell his family of his diagnosis and lifestyle. Instead he arrived home to hear of the news of others who had recently come out to thier family. He sat in silence as he heard the nasty things said about others on his rez who had come out to the community.
Feeling totally alone, John moved to Thunder Bay and took up where he left off. He figured he was going to die anyhow, so he may as well die happy.
One night while returning home from a bar, John stopped by a local native organization bulletin board and noticed a flyer announcing an AIDS awareness conference taking place that weekend. Feeling desperate for support, John phoned the organizers the next day and asked if he could attend.
He sat in silence listening to the speakers that weekend. Occasionally a tear would fall from his eye and roll down his face. When he was invited out for dinner the night before the conference ended, he knew this was his one chance to open up. He was amazed at the support he got from those around the dinner table in that family restaurant.
The following morning one of the speakers announced that there was a participant at the conference who needed money to go home to say goodbye to his family. She explained that he was very ill with AIDS and wanted this chance to make peace with those he loved. A hat went around and within minutes John had enough to fly home.
Other participants took John shopping for new clothes and put him on a plane that evening.
By the time John arrived on his rez, someone who had attended that AIDS Conference had told them that he was coming home to announce he was a gay man dying of AIDS. When John arrived at his parents home, his father slammed the door in his face, telling him they didn't want the shame he brought home with him. He was told to "go back to the city to die with your friends."
John was devestated. He went from family member to family member's homes, only to be greeted the same way. John ended up in hospital that night not far from his rez. The following week his younger sister arrived at hospital to bring John to the airport. She told him she was sorry he had to go through this, and explained that the family would never accept him now. She wished him well but cringed when John attempted to hug her.
John returned to the city where he managed to find a small one bedroom apt. not far from the health clinic he frequented.
Remembering the support he received at the Conference,John decided to do the best he could and started doing AIDS workshops. Shortly before his death he shared with me, that, for the first time ever, he felt he was "someone".
Day by day, his health diminished until he was nothing but a skeleton layin on his couch, unable to do anything for himself. Soon his mind went as well and he barely knew what his own name was let alone what day it was.
During a visit with him a week before he passed on, I noticed two things hanging on his living room wall, immediately above where he lay.... his father's picture and an Eagle Feather.
When they heard of his death, John's family arranged for a quick burial in this city far from his home, his family, his community.
WHO WAS THE VICTIM HERE? Many will say John. However, John's family, his community were also victims. It didnt' have to be this way. Hopefully with some understanding, some compassion, some education, this situation will not have to be repeated.
To simplify the HIV/AIDS Medicine Wheel, we will use John, his family and his community's journey.
"EAST"
"SOUTH"
"WEST"
"NORTH"
