The Vision
In the late 1800s, as the Lakota traditional way of life was changing, a man had a powerful vision. He became an eagle flying out over the world, above all the peoples. He saw the beauty and unity of all peoples gathered in circles all over the world. The hoops symbolize these gatherings of people. He knew that the One same Creator of all had poured endless blessings upon each and all. And each and all had celebrated this heavenly outpouring by creating beauty through their arts, knowledge through their sciences and harmony in their societies. Then, to the man’s horror, he saw the destructing winds of ego, prejudice, hate and racism. He saw materialism sweep over the world. The heavenly light was blotted out, covering the hearts of all peoples with the dust of malice and darkness and disunity. He saw blood flowing over every land, every heart broken, every eye swollen with tears. The human spirit was broken and it seemed there was no hope, no future.

Suddenly he thought how wonderful it would all be if people could see the beauty with which the Creator of all had blessed each and all. He prayed that it could be so. This prayer became like wind beneath his eagle wings, carrying him up above darkness until he saw the sun of a new day break over the horizon. The light of this new sun touched every region, reviving and awakening the people everywhere. The people began to reach out to the light, to embrace it, and then to reach out to each other in a new design. Where before there were many hoops, there was now one great hoop of unity.