Healing Circle Overview

Healing circles are intentional spaces to facilitate healing and growth within
a community after harm has been done. This practice is adapted from the
practice of peace circles. Peace circles are an indigenous practice used as
a tool to bring people together to better understand one another, make
connections and resolve community concerns. In a peace circle,
participants work together and engage in conversation to work through
differences or gain perspective about a particular topic. Everyone’s voice is
heard during peace circles. Circles honor traditional community restorative
practices and gives space to individual needs.

Setting up the Circle

Position chairs in a closed circle facing inwardly. There are no other objects
between the participants, such as furniture or table in the circle. The circle
format represents shared leadership, responsibility, and value. The process
is inclusive and all voices matter. Participants of a peace circle will sit in a
chair. Typically, two facilitators are present to conduct a circle. One
facilitator is the lead, the other is a support. The lead facilitator is
responsible for asking the questions. The second facilitator is responsible
for monitoring the environment to minimize distractions and allow the lead
facilitator to focus on each participant and what is being shared. If a
participant seems agitated, the second facilitator should approach the
individual(s), pull the individual(s) aside and inquire about what has
triggered the participant(s).

Talking Piece
Introduce a “talking piece” which is an object that may have significance to
the facilitator who is also referred to as the “keeper” and is used to regulate
the dialogue in the circle. Each participant has the opportunity to speak
when they have the talking piece. Each participant is responsible to listen
without interruption until the person with the talking piece is done sharing
and the talking piece is passed to the next person who then may speak.
This process is repeated until everyone has had the opportunity to share
their thoughts or perspectives.

The talking piece provides an opportunity for equity in voice amongst the
participants and helps to manage discussion that may be very emotionally
charged. Talking pieces provide the opportunity for participants to think
about what they will respond since they are unable to speak unless until
they have the talking piece on their person.

Healing Circle Overview continued

Lead facilitators (Keepers)

Lead facilitators are known as “keepers.” Keepers do not interrupt
conversations in the circle. Keepers are responsible for ensuring the
environment is respectful and safe for the participants. Since peace circles
are typically used to address sensitive topics, problem-solving, decision-
making, and conflicts, keepers should be mindful of the tone they are
setting for the circle. The goal of circles are to work towards restoration.
Maintaining a positive outlook and tone is important for the keepers and the
circle. Keepers facilitate the process of the guiding values of the circle.
Guiding values must be established before the start of a circle. The keeper
must listen to what is being shared and circle back to present questions
that participants discuss to clarify unresolved issues.

Ideally when peace circles are held, a second facilitator is present to

support the keeper. The second facilitator is responsible to examine the
environment and will look for distress in participant. Examples of distress
include but is not limited to voice tone, body language, facial expressions,
and other nuances that indicate an emotional response is occurring. The
second facilitator should discretely approach the participant(s) and inquire if
they need to step out of the circle to talk or breathe. This is important role
for the second facilitator since the keeper needs to be focused on the entire
group and needs to present and actively listening to the participants.

Participants
Participants voluntarily participate in a circle. No one should be forced to
talk. Therefore, keepers during guidelines discussions can share that
participants have the option to pass the talking piece if they are still
reflecting on the subject at hand or if what has been shared aligns with their
personal values or beliefs. Participants should be aware that in the circle
they are part of a community and should respect the guidelines the
community has determined.
  Introduce: “what is a healing circle.” Note that healing circles are an
adapted practice from indigenous peace circles.

 Discuss what the process will look. If virtual, everyone should have
an item (talking stick), and virtually “pass” the item to signify ending of
your turn and the start of the next person’s turn.

 Introduce guidelines for conversations and ask for a thumbs up in

chat to demonstrate understanding and agreement.

Once this process is discussed, share statement below and then

commence circle:

The time we spend together is a time to be reflective and to consider our

own healing. In this circle today, we may have differences in opinion and
even in candidate of choice. The goal today is not to enter into debate
about those choices, rather to focus on what it takes to heal yourself after a
stressful period of time surrounding the recent election. We are not
guaranteeing that you will find healing, we are facilitating a space where
you can engage in this process for yourself and with your peers.

Questions to ask of Group:

Opening/introductions
What is your name? What year are you in?
What color are you feeling? Describe the feelings?

Second round
What brings you to this circle today and what are you hoping to get out of
our time together?

Third round
As you are processing the election results, what do you want people to
know about you? How are your lived experiences and your past coming up
for you now?

Fourth round
Consider a time where you experienced a challenge and what strategies
did you use to work through it?
Fifth round
What do you think you need now in terms of support? What support can
you offer others, if any?

Final round
What color are you feeling now? Describe why.

Lead the group through a deep breathing moment where everyone takes
several deep breaths collectively.
Take a deep breath in and out exercise.

End session. Thank everyone for participation.