Hear me, not for myself, but for my people. … Hear me that they may once more go back into the sacred hoop and find the good red road, the shielding tree! – Black Elk
The dawn of the 21st century marks a time of great cultural renewal and individual and collective healing among the Native peoples of North America. The growing sobriety movement in Indian Country represents just one dimension of this larger process of personal and tribal revitalization.
The Four Laws of Change
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Change is from within.
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In order for development to occur it must be preceded by a vision.
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A great learning must occur.
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You must create a healing forest.
The Four Laws of Change suggest an inclusive or integral approach to wellness for individuals, families, communities and entire nations.
The Sacred Hoop
A Hoop of 100 Eagle Feathers that would become a key spiritual element of the Wellbriety Movement.
The elders spiritually placed into the Hoop four sacred gifts or intentions to be carried by the Hoop wherever it went on its journey of healing in both Native and non-Native communities alike.
These are the four Gifts of the Sacred Hoop:
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Eastern Direction: Healing
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Southern Direction: Hope
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Western Direction: Unity
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Northern Direction: The Power to Forgive the Unforgivable
