Ihanktonwan Dakota · Chickasaw Nations

Chief
Midegah

Chief Midegah

"We are all indigenous people to Mother Earth. We are related to all living things. That is the fundamental foundation of the indigenous worldview."
North
South
East
West
4
Worlds

A life dedicated to healing the human family

Chief Midegah (Midegah) is an enrolled member of the Ihanktonwan Dakota and Chickasaw Nations. During the past 53 years, he has worked with Indigenous Peoples from North, Central and South America, Micronesia, South East Asia, China, India, Hawaii, and Africa.

In 1982, Chief Lane co-founded the Four Worlds International Institute with Indigenous Elders and Spiritual Leaders — now an internationally recognized leader in human, community, and economic development.

Chief Lane is host of the Shift Network's Global Indigenous Wisdom Summits, Chairman of Compassion Games International, and a Global Trustee of the United Religions Initiative.

🏆
Windstar Award — John Denver FoundationFirst Indigenous person to receive this prestigious recognition for global citizenship.
🕊️
Year 2000 Freedom & Human Rights Award — Berne, SwitzerlandFirst North or South American person to receive this honor.
⚖️
$3.5 Billion Residential School SettlementKey Indigenous leader in Canada's historic reconciliation process.
53
Years of Service
40+
Nations Served
16
Guiding Principles
4
Worlds United

"Have you held in your heart a vision of healing for the world? One in which we restore the sacred bonds of trust and respect, learn to live in harmony with the natural world and leave a legacy of beauty for future generations?"

— Chief Midegah

The 16 Indigenous Guiding Principles

A spiritual roadmap for building and sustaining peace — within ourselves and in our communities. Developed over 40 years of consultation with spiritual elders and leaders from around the world.

01
Vision of the Possible

The belief in humanity's capacity to transform the world is the most essential piece in any effort to make lasting, positive change.

02
The Inner Life

Truth emerges from within. When we neglect the inner life, it halts our own development and any transformation we might invoke in the world.

03
Evoke Your Vision

Evoke the vision of who you can become. Your vision works as a powerful magnet, drawing you toward your potential and contribution.

04
Heal and Replace

Heal the past and replace dysfunctional patterns with healthy habits of thought and action that empower your contributions to the world.

05
Mother Earth — A Living Being

Mother Earth is a unified and living being of which all life is an interdependent and interconnected part.

06
Holistic Healing

Every aspect of our healing and development is interrelated — personal, social, cultural, political, and economic.

07
The Sacred Circle

When we work on any one part of the circle, the whole circle is affected. All things are connected.

08
Talking Circles

Principles of Consultation guide us to solve critical challenges peacefully and deepen relationships through listening with our hearts.

09
Spiritual Springtime

This new Spiritual Springtime foretold by our Elders is now unfolding globally — as sure as the sun rises every morning.

10
Indigenous Spirit

Embrace your own Indigenous Spirit as a being of Mother Earth — sacred and valued with gifts to offer in this time of great healing.

11
Condor, Quetzal & Eagle

The reunion of the peoples of the Americas — North, Central, and South — through the Fourth Way of love, unity, and cooperation.

12
The Fourth Way

Using cutting-edge digital communications technologies for local, regional, and global change to address the wellbeing of all peoples.

13
Deep Social Networks

Principle-centered, collaboratively created, community-based digital networks for uplifting education and sustainable development.

14
Youth Leadership

Particularly addressing the leadership development and participation of our younger generations in the healing of the human family.

15
Environmental Justice

Supporting Bioregional Sanctuaries globally. Protecting and restoring the sacred relationship between people and the natural world.

16
Compassion in Action

Compassion Games International — transforming competition into compassionate action for the healing of communities worldwide.

Listen to Chief Midegah

Watch teachings, ceremonies, and wisdom from Chief Midegah on the Four Worlds International Institute YouTube channel.

▶ Visit the Full Channel →

Unifying the Human Family

Founded in 1982, the Four Worlds International Institute has become an internationally recognized leader in human, community, and economic development — focused on the importance of culture and spirituality in all elements of development.

🌍
Four Worlds Institute
Human and community development rooted in indigenous wisdom and the Fourth Way.
🧭
Four Directions International
Indigenous-owned economic development arm building sustainable prosperity.
🤝
Compassion Games
Transforming global competition into compassionate action for community healing.
☀️
First Nations Solar
Renewable energy solutions for Indigenous communities and Mother Earth.

Join the Circle

Connect with Chief Midegah and the Four Worlds family. Whether you seek teachings, collaboration, or to support the mission of healing the human family — we welcome you.