Medicine Wheel Systems Theory (MWST): A Holistic Framework for Organizational Empowerment

In a world dominated by colonial systems that prioritize profit, hierarchy, and individualism, organizations are increasingly seeking frameworks that foster equity, sustainability, and collective well-being. The Medicine Wheel Systems Theory (MWST), a powerful integration of the Indigenous Medicine Wheel and General Systems Theory (GST), offers a transformative approach to understanding and transforming organizations. MWST is a holistic, interconnected, and anti-colonial framework that empowers organizations to create feedback loops, identify leverage points, understand homeostasis, and embrace emergence—all while centering Indigenous knowledges and decolonizing practices.

What is Medicine Wheel Systems Theory (MWST)?

MWST is a unique synthesis of the Medicine Wheel, a sacred Indigenous framework representing the interconnectedness of all life, and General Systems Theory (GST), which studies systems as interconnected and interdependent parts. The Medicine Wheel is divided into four quadrants, each associated with a direction (East, South, West, North), an element, a season, and aspects of human life (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual). MWST applies this holistic framework to systems thinking, emphasizing balance, harmony, and the need to address all dimensions of a system to achieve well-being.

By combining the cyclical, relational wisdom of the Medicine Wheel with the analytical rigor of GST, MWST becomes a tool for understanding and transforming organizations in a way that honors Indigenous knowledge and resists colonial structures.

Key Concepts in MWST for Organizational Empowerment

1. Feedback Loops: Learning and Adapting

Feedback loops are central to MWST. In organizations, feedback loops allow for continuous learning and adaptation. MWST emphasizes the importance of relational feedback—listening to all stakeholders, including marginalized voices, and ensuring that feedback is holistic (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual).

Example: An organization implementing MWST might create feedback circles where employees, community members, and leaders share their experiences. This feedback is then used to adapt policies and practices in a way that respects all dimensions of well-being.

2. Leverage Points: Creating Transformative Change

Leverage points are places in a system where small changes can lead to significant impacts. MWST helps identify these points by considering the interconnectedness of all parts of the system. It also centers cultural and spiritual leverage points, which are often overlooked in Western systems thinking.

Example: An organization might identify a leverage point in its decision-making processes. By shifting from a top-down hierarchy to a collaborative, circle-based approach (inspired by Indigenous governance models), the organization can create more equitable and inclusive outcomes.

3. Homeostasis: Balancing the System

Homeostasis refers to a system’s tendency to maintain stability. In organizations, this often manifests as resistance to change. MWST challenges this by emphasizing the need for dynamic balance—acknowledging that systems must adapt to remain healthy and harmonious.

Example: An organization stuck in colonial practices (e.g., prioritizing profit over people) might resist change. MWST encourages the organization to rebalance by centering Indigenous values such as community, reciprocity, and sustainability.

4. Emergence: Cultivating Collective Wisdom

Emergence is the idea that systems can produce outcomes that are greater than the sum of their parts. MWST embraces emergence by valuing collective wisdom and the contributions of all members of the system. This contrasts with colonial systems, which often prioritize individual achievement over collective well-being.

Example: An organization might create spaces for emergent ideas by hosting collaborative workshops where employees, community members, and leaders co-create solutions to challenges. This process honors the wisdom of the collective and fosters innovation.

MWST in Action: A Case Scenario

Background: A non-profit organization focused on environmental justice has been struggling to engage Indigenous communities in its work. Despite its mission, the organization operates within colonial frameworks that prioritize Western science over Indigenous knowledges. Leadership decides to use MWST to transform its practices.

Application of MWST:

Feedback Loops:
- The organization establishes feedback circles with Indigenous elders, knowledge keepers, and community members. These circles provide holistic feedback on the organization’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions.
- Feedback reveals that the organization’s approach to environmental justice is disconnected from Indigenous land-based practices and spiritual relationships with the Earth.
Leverage Points:
- The organization identifies a leverage point in its decision-making processes. It shifts from a Western hierarchical model to a consensus-based approach inspired by Indigenous governance.
- Another leverage point is the organization’s reliance on Western science. It begins to integrate Indigenous ecological knowledge into its programs.
Homeostasis:
- The organization recognizes that its resistance to change stems from a colonial mindset that prioritizes efficiency over relationships. It works to rebalance by centering Indigenous values such as reciprocity, respect, and sustainability.
- Leadership undergoes training on cultural humility and anti-colonial practices to support this shift.
Emergence:
- The organization hosts a series of collaborative workshops where Indigenous community members, staff, and leaders co-create a new vision for environmental justice. This process leads to innovative programs that honor both Western science and Indigenous knowledge.
- The organization’s work becomes a model for decolonizing environmental justice, attracting partnerships and funding from like-minded groups.

Outcome: By applying MWST, the organization transforms its practices and builds meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities. It becomes a leader in decolonizing environmental justice, demonstrating the power of holistic, anti-colonial frameworks.

Why MWST Matters for Organizational Empowerment

In a world shaped by colonialism, organizations have a responsibility to dismantle oppressive systems and create spaces that honor Indigenous knowledge and ways of being. MWST provides the tools to do this by emphasizing:

Interconnectedness: Recognizing that all parts of a system are related and must be addressed holistically.
Balance: Striving for dynamic balance that respects all dimensions of well-being.
Collective Wisdom: Valuing the contributions of all members of the system and fostering emergent solutions.
Anti-Colonial Praxis: Centering Indigenous knowledge and resisting colonial structures.

By embracing MWST, organizations can move beyond tokenistic diversity efforts and create truly equitable, inclusive, and sustainable systems. This is not just about organizational success—it’s about healing, reconciliation, and building a better world for all.