Native American Wisdom & Coaching Supervision – Mirella Treves

In this compelling session, Mirella Treves shares her transformative journey of integrating Native American wisdom with coaching supervision. Mirella’s experiences are deeply rooted in the Lakota tradition, and she beautifully connects the lessons learned from the Sundance and sacred ceremonies to her supervision practice.

Mirella begins by recounting her personal journey, which started in 2013 with a trip to South Dakota, where she participated in the sacred Sundance ceremony. This intense, life-changing experience involved dancing for five days without food or water, deepening her connection to nature, spirit, and self. Mirella describes how this profound spiritual experience has influenced her work as a coach and supervisor, emphasizing the importance of presence, authenticity, and deep reflection in her sessions.

Throughout the session, Mirella discusses several key aspects of Native American wisdom that resonate with supervision:

                1.           Mitakuye Oyasin: A Lakota prayer meaning “We are all related.” Mirella explains how this principle shapes her supervision work by fostering deep interconnection between herself, her supervisees, and their broader environment. This interconnectedness extends beyond human relationships, including the natural world, animals, and the spirit realm.

                2.           The Sacred Circle and Medicine Wheel: The four directions, colors, and elements in the Native American medicine wheel are symbols of wholeness and balance. Mirella relates this to creating a supportive, sacred space for supervision, where reflection, presence, and authenticity are cultivated.

                3.           Integration of Values, Animals, and Elements: Mirella incorporates Native American symbols, such as animals (e.g., eagle, coyote), into her sessions. She explains how animals appear as guides and symbols, offering insights and wisdom relevant to the supervision process. For example, the eagle symbolizes seeing a situation from a higher perspective, which Mirella has used in client sessions to help them gain clarity.

                4.           Respect and Offering: The concept of offering and reciprocity is central to Native American traditions. Mirella highlights how the exchange of wisdom in supervision, whether through stories or shared experiences, is an offering that creates mutual respect and deep connection.

Mirella shares various personal anecdotes from her Sundance experience, emphasizing the lessons of resilience, transformation, and preparation. She reflects on the importance of aligning body, mind, and spirit in both her personal and professional life, using Native American tools like sage for cleansing and grounding.

Incorporating Native American wisdom into supervision, Mirella encourages deep listening, observation, and awareness of one’s surroundings. She underscores how small, everyday interactions, such as noticing animals or natural elements, can provide meaningful insights that enhance the supervision process.

Participants in the session were inspired by Mirella’s unique approach, with many expressing a deep connection to the wisdom she shared. The conversation underscored how embracing one’s unique gifts, such as Mirella’s connection to Native American traditions, can enhance the power of coaching and supervision.

The session concluded with a reflective discussion on how participants could integrate Native American wisdom into their own practices, with a focus on embracing intuition, interconnection, and personal authenticity.