The Medicine Wheel
The Medicine Wheel is Sacred!
The Great Spirit caused everything
to be round: Sun, Sky, Moon, Earth.
It is the Circle of Life.
Inside the Circle are:
The Four Directions,
The Four Winds,
The Four Seasons.
This Medicine Wheel
is in Honor of the
First Nation People
of the Great Plains.
It is our hope that this park and
this medicine wheel and this
outdoor theater will become and
remain as a sacred place.
The Medicine Wheel at Ada Hayden Heritage Park
The Kiwanis Club of Ames, the Town and Country Kiwanis Club, and the Golden K Kiwanis Club, in cooperation with the Ames Parks and Recreation Department and our friends and donors, built a Medicine Wheel at Ada Hayden Heritage Park.
The Medicine Wheel was dedicated on September 16, 2006.
Building the Site
The Medicine Wheel Project began in early spring, 2004, under the leadership of Barbara Gurganus and Bill Boon. The project was completed on September 16, 2006, just hours before the dedication ceremony. Members of the three Kiwanis clubs and their friends, in cooperation with the Ames Department of Parks and Recreation, worked hard for many hours clearing the land and erecting two sites: An outdoor theater and the 40' diameter Medicine Wheel.
The Dedication Ceremony
After a night of heavy rains, the sky opened on the morning of September 16th to welcome a beautiful day.
Bill Boon greeted us and talked for a moment about the history of Native Americans on the Great Plains. Carl Anderson led us in singing America the Beautiful and Paul Domoto led the Pledge of Allegiance. Dennis Jones told us about the history of the Medicine Wheel project. Jack Winkler introduced our donors and Barbara Gurganus introduced our special guests.
Lester Obago (Wanbli Gleska Wicasa: Spotted Eagle Man) performed the dedication ceremony. He talked about the history of oppression suffered by Native Americans and their hope for a better future. He talked about the symbolism of the medicine wheel, depicted in part by the words inscribed in a stone located at the site. Mr. Obago urged us to "Let this medicine wheel be a symbol of making peace with the ancestors, and a beginning to living with respect for each other."
See: Full text of Mr. Obago's speech.
View a brief film of the Dedication Ceremony.
Donors
Alliant Energy: Margaret Saddoris
Al and Evelyn Bentley
Conley Trucking: Chris Paulson
Country Landscapes: Jim Mason
Duane and Linda Hugland
Keep Iowa Beautiful: Gerry Schnepf and Kathy Ridnour
Kurt and Linda Lehman
Darrel and Betty Link
Liquid Landscapes: Wes Wunder
Manatt's, Inc.: Brad Lenz
Don and Iola Whitver
Special Guests
Ann Campbell
Nancy Carroll
David and Hanna Gradwohl
Dave and Arlene Hessman
Howie McClennan
Lester Obago and Family
Fred and Fern Parrish
Steve and Candi Schainker
Kevin Shawgo
Steve and Barbara Siemens
Performers
Flute maker and player: Richard Reckseen
Dancers: Julia Buman, Lucy Ganem, Kevin Wilde
Drummers: Joe Redbear, Ryan Buman
Photographers
Don Wishart and Dennis Lindeman