This document outlines a 6-week wellness program called "Rediscovering the Kumeyaay Path to Wellness" that incorporates traditional Native American practices. Each week focuses on one of the five directions (East, South, West, North, Inner) and associated elements. The program includes medical check-ins, journaling, mindfulness activities, cooking demonstrations, storytelling, music, dance, and reflection to promote holistic health and well-being. The goal is to help participants gain insights to achieve balance and wholeness through exploring their connections to themselves, community, and the natural world.

1. Rediscovering the Kumeyaay
Path to Wellness
Produced by
Advanced Knowledge Resources, Inc.
for the
Southern Indian Health Council
and made possible in part by a grant from the
Cooperative of American Physicians
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2014 All Rights Reserved

2. Week Medical Nutrition Break Mindfulness Movement
90 min 20 min 20 min 10 min 20 min 20 min
1
Earth /
East/Source
Of Life/
Sunrise
Baseline Vitals
Participant Goals
Wellness Path Journal
Breathing
Native Food Tasting
& Hydration
Food Prep
Kitchen Cleaning
Sample Menus
Theme: Earth
Medicine Circle
The Ancestors
The Earth
Native Music
Stories
Native Dance
Song
Homework: Family
Movement and Art
Assignments
2
Air / South/
Breath of
Life/Coolness
Participant Reflection
/ Evaluation
Wellness Path Journal
Mind Body
Integration
Desert Gardens
Healthy, Tasty Food
on a Budget
Theme: Air
Medicine Circle
The Animals, Trees, Rocks
Music & Native Medicine
Walking –
Discovering the Desert
Song
3
Fire / West/
Flame of
Love/Sunset
Participant
Awareness of Vitals
Family Ecology
Wellness Path Journal
Food for the Soul –
Giving and Being
Nourished
Theme: Fire
Medicine Circle
Sorrow, Loss, Grief, Renewal
Music
Native Theater / Art
Song
4
Water/North/
Sustainer of
Life/Pole Star
Participant
Awareness of Vitals
Family of Origin
Wellness Path Journal
Self-Hypnosis
Water for the Spirit
–
Hydration
Teas, Infusions
Healthy Beverages
Theme: Water
Medicine Circle
Family, Solitude, Community
Music
Water Theater / Art
Song
5
Center/Inner/
Spirit Within
Participant Feedback
on Treatment /
Prevention Plan
Wellness Path Journal
The Inner Direction
Vision and Visions
Theme: The Inner Direction –
Fifth Dimension
Medicine Circle
Visions
Vision Theater / Art
Song
6
Five
Directions
Make Me
Whole
Participant Evaluation
of the Quest
Wellness Path Journal
The Five Directions
The Sources of Life
Theme: Celebration of Life
Medicine Circle
The Next Journey
Traditional Dance / Song

3. Participant Guide
Activities
Achievements
Reflections
Rediscovering
the Kumeyaay
Path to Wellness

4. Our journey begins
with the rising of
the sun in the east,
soaring over the
Earth, bringing
strength and
health through
foods and
activities both
ancient and new.
Earth/East
Week One

5. Above our Mother
Earth, a blanket of
Air surrounds us.
As we make our
way through the
day, we become
aware of the gift
of the air and the
song of life
singing through
the desert.
Air / South
Week Two

6. The fire of life
burns in each
person and family.
Our physical
metabolism, our
emotional health,
our sorrows and
joy, all become
part of the
experience of
health and well-
being.
FiRe / West
Flame of Love /
Sunset
Week Three

7. Just as in the
skies, the Big
Dipper points the
way to the Pole
Star and North,
guiding travelers
safely on their
journey through
the night, so
water supports
and sustains
human life from
its beginning to
its end.
Water / North
Sustainer of Life/Pole Star
Week Four

8. As each person is
located at a center
point surrounded
by the four
cardinal directions,
so each person
has a center, deep
within. Wellness
requires
recognition and
acceptance of our
life spirit’s
presence and
work in shaping
who we are and
Center / Inner
Spirit Within / Center
Week Five

9. As the Journey to
Wellness
continues,
insights gained
from visiting the
Five Directions
come together to
make us whole.
Five Directions
Make Me Whole
Week Six

10. As the Journey to
Wellness
continues,
insights gained
from visiting the
Five Directions
come together to
make us whole.
Five Directions
Make Me Whole
Week Six