Gathering in Circle

Gathering in Circle
Submitted by
Lori St. Cyr, Métis & Indigenous Liaison and North Regional Support Staff

My understanding and use of circle comes from many different sources, including my teachings as a Métis person, my training in restorative justice, and my experiences participating in and hosting circles. As a child, I was also introduced to circle in the classroom setting. My understanding has further been shaped by teachings shared with me by Elders and by my own experiences with circle over time.

Circles are used in many cultures, communities, and settings as a way for people to come together, communicate, and share. Anyone can host a circle. What is important is understanding the purpose of the circle and creating a space where everyone has an equal opportunity to participate and to be heard.

In my Métis teachings, I was taught that we move around the circle clockwise, with the sun. I have also received teachings from Indigenous Elders where there were no specific directional teachings. This has helped shape my understanding that circles may look different depending on the people, teachings, culture, purpose, and setting.

The circle is a tool for sharing information, exchanging ideas, learning from each other, building relationships, and hearing different points of view in a good way.

One of the strengths of sitting in a circle is that there is no head of the table. We come into the circle as equals. Each person has an opportunity to speak, listen, and contribute.

In a good way is a concept used by many Indigenous peoples to recognize work that is conducted in authentic and meaningful ways, with intention and sincerity, through reciprocal and respectful relationships. It is a demonstration of working with clear purpose and with high levels of integrity, moral strength and communal spirit.

Source: ii' taa'poh'to'p UCalgary

Setting Up the Circle

The physical setup of the circle is an important part of creating a space of equality.

Ideally, chairs will be placed in a circle in the room so that everyone is sitting together and can see one another easily. There is no head of the table or designated place of importance. Everyone has a place in the circle.

It is okay to have empty chairs in the circle. In my Indigenous teachings I was taught the empty chair is space for our ancestors to join us if they so wish – to listen, to guide us in our words, and to help us listen to one another in a good way with an open heart.

Whenever possible, the circle space should be clear of anything that blocks a participant's view of one another. Having an open center space allows everyone to see the people across from and around them and aids in creating a sense of connection and equality.

The setup does not need to be perfect. Circles can happen in many different spaces, and sometimes we need to work with the room and furniture available to us. If a table needs to remain in the center, that is okay. The principles of the circle can still be used.

We can even meet in virtual circles. Just this week, we commemorated National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in a circle online.

What matters most is that everyone can see and hear one another, everyone has an equal opportunity to participate, and everyone has a place in circle.

How Circle Works

The person hosting the circle begins by welcoming everyone and explaining the purpose of the circle and how the talking piece will be used.

Generally, the host shares first and then passes the talking piece to the person to their right. The talking piece continues around the circle, with each person having the opportunity to speak.

When you have the talking piece, it is your opportunity to speak and the responsibility of everyone else to listen. You may share as much or as little as you choose.

Passing is always okay. If you do not wish to share when the talking piece reaches you, you say "pass” and pass the talking piece to the next person.

Once the talking piece returns to the host, they may close the circle or begin another round if there is more to discuss. A circle can go around once or many times. The conversation continues for as long as it is useful and appropriate for the group.

How to Listen Well

When we sit with Elders and Knowledge Keepers we are listening. I was taught that we listen with three ears and three eyes:

two ears on our head and the one that sits in our heart
two eyes on our head and our mind's eye

Ways to respectfully demonstrate that we are listening include:

nodding
smiling
making a sound of encouragement
placing a hand on your heart