Teambuilding is an ancient art. American Indians used a technique called the medicine wheel, a circle of rocks around a campfire, which emphasized communication and sharing.
Suzette Bruhn, an Arizona-based meeting professional, studied American Indian approaches to bonding and blended them with traditional techniques to create her Native American Empowerment program (http://theearthkeepers.com/empowerment/).
Participants gather outdoors, often at night, within the wheel. Each person receives a drum or rattle. Together, they create music. Then they begin the Talking Circle, during which each person expresses any thoughts without interruption.
The ritual ends with more music, bonding the participants in an experience they can carry into the workplace.