Wetiko
Tina Gilson
April 09, 2026
The term “Wetiko” recently came into my awareness, and it seemed like a timely topic to share. Wetiko is a term amongst Indigenous people that refers to an evil spirit that invades the human mind. It is a cannibal istic spirit that consumes others and “things” for personal gain. It’s a virus of selfishness. It was used when white people came to this land and began taking things as their own, invading communities and taking resources for themselves.
Negative qualities such as greed, jealousy, self-centeredness, and the desire for power are all traits of Wetiko. It prioritizes profit and greed over people and sustainability. They are part of our shadows and the dark parts of our ego. In our current culture of consumerism, instant gratification, and social media, these characteristics seem to be growing exponentially.
They are fed by consumerism and an exploitative economic system, as well as our disconnection from nature and community.
People are so busy trying to keep up with everyone else (which is an illusion... everyone is struggling and not living the glorious, perfect life you think they are), they are creating more suffering for themselves
and others. Wetiko influences people to engage in destructive behaviors, which fosters a polarized sense of separation, ultimately leading to conflict and division due to seeing ourselves as separate from others, instead of connected as we are and should be. Personally, my life became so much better when I put more effort into experiences and connections than into material items.
The way to start breaking free from this invading spirit or “virus” is to begin doing your own healing and work on your shadows. Work on your struggles, work on growing as a person, and look for ways to connect to nature and to others. Give back where you can to others and to the land you are taking from as well.
Even the smallest steps can make a difference. Plant a community garden or share your own harvest with others. Recycle. Lower your consumerism and increase sustainability. Educate others and support their efforts. Work on your self-confidence, self-love, and self-esteem. Doing so makes you less vulnerable to jealousy or the need to keep up with the Joneses.
It is important to begin fighting the Wetiko within you. For your benefit and the world as a whole. The more we do this, the more others will. The potential ripple effect could create miracles. While Wetiko has a strong hold on our society at this time, it is not impossible to break its grip. If we each do our part to work on ourselves and our immediate environment, it will begin to reach others and encourage them to do so as well.
Moving towards living a life that is healing, harmonious, regenerative, and empathetic is very doable. We need to take the path of cooperation and abundance while ridding ourselves of the need to compete with others or feel like we must constantly consume. We need to get back to oneness.
Sacred Spirit Wellness is located at The Hive Wellness Collaborative, 21 Barton Street in Bradford, VT. They can be reached via email at sacredspiritwellness1@gmail.com, on their Facebook page or www.sacredspiritwellness.com
Negative qualities such as greed, jealousy, self-centeredness, and the desire for power are all traits of Wetiko. It prioritizes profit and greed over people and sustainability. They are part of our shadows and the dark parts of our ego. In our current culture of consumerism, instant gratification, and social media, these characteristics seem to be growing exponentially.
They are fed by consumerism and an exploitative economic system, as well as our disconnection from nature and community.
People are so busy trying to keep up with everyone else (which is an illusion... everyone is struggling and not living the glorious, perfect life you think they are), they are creating more suffering for themselves
and others. Wetiko influences people to engage in destructive behaviors, which fosters a polarized sense of separation, ultimately leading to conflict and division due to seeing ourselves as separate from others, instead of connected as we are and should be. Personally, my life became so much better when I put more effort into experiences and connections than into material items.
The way to start breaking free from this invading spirit or “virus” is to begin doing your own healing and work on your shadows. Work on your struggles, work on growing as a person, and look for ways to connect to nature and to others. Give back where you can to others and to the land you are taking from as well.
Even the smallest steps can make a difference. Plant a community garden or share your own harvest with others. Recycle. Lower your consumerism and increase sustainability. Educate others and support their efforts. Work on your self-confidence, self-love, and self-esteem. Doing so makes you less vulnerable to jealousy or the need to keep up with the Joneses.
It is important to begin fighting the Wetiko within you. For your benefit and the world as a whole. The more we do this, the more others will. The potential ripple effect could create miracles. While Wetiko has a strong hold on our society at this time, it is not impossible to break its grip. If we each do our part to work on ourselves and our immediate environment, it will begin to reach others and encourage them to do so as well.
Moving towards living a life that is healing, harmonious, regenerative, and empathetic is very doable. We need to take the path of cooperation and abundance while ridding ourselves of the need to compete with others or feel like we must constantly consume. We need to get back to oneness.
Sacred Spirit Wellness is located at The Hive Wellness Collaborative, 21 Barton Street in Bradford, VT. They can be reached via email at sacredspiritwellness1@gmail.com, on their Facebook page or www.sacredspiritwellness.com
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