Our Work

The Medicine Wheel is an ancient and sacred symbol used by American Indians in many different ways, different tribal cultures and has many different spiritual meanings. Along those lines, the Native Image was designed to represent the “Circle of Life” – from birth to grandparenthood – with baby moccasins signifying the beginning of the journey of life. Moccasins represent the first steps of a baby and symbolize helping children move forward in life – from being a youth, to being an adult and then to being a grandparent and elder.

For the colors of this Medicine Wheel, yellow represents the East, a new beginning – a baby/child; red represents the South and in the cycle of life, is the youth’s journey; black represents the West and an adult’s journey; and white represents the North and a grandparent or elder who comes to The Circle with wisdom, knowledge, lived experience and teachings.

This independent state agency -- the first independent state agency of its kind in The Nation -- “was born” as a result of the zealous advocacy of tribal leaders of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and the American Indian Community-Specific Board, and with the support of the Community and with bi-partisan support of the Minnesota Legislature and support from the Governor and Lt. Governor.

The outline of the State at the center of the Medicine Wheel depicts the advocacy and support of the Minnesota tribal leadership and the Native Community, with the Minnesota legislative and government support – all which will benefit the Native children of Minnesota.