All people are related and all things connected in the mystery of Great Spirit. All beings are sacred and worthy of respect and to be treated with reverence and dignity.

The Clan that one is a member of has profound meaning which impacts all areas of one's life (vocation, marriage, responsibilities, duties, and familial and societal relationships).

Each person belongs to a clan which is represented by a Totem Animal. Clans usually have Totem Animals which correspond to where the tribe lives. For example, Deer for Woodland tribes; and Buffalo for Plains tribes.

There are Animal Totems for the tribe, for the clan, for the family, for the country, and for the state. Each animal totem has certain characteristics, qualities, strengths, and weaknesses that can be utilized to learn valuable lessons and to increase harmonic understanding of the Sacred Hoop.

Native American Woman Harvesting Circle of Life Corn

The Sacred Hoop symbolizes the Circle of Life and the power of the circle matrix that is the creative foundation of the universe.

The sky, the planet, the sun, the stars, the moon, the whirling wind, the nests of birds, the tepees, the seasons, and life cycles follow this circle round pattern.

The Four Powers nourish the blossoming World Tree at the center of the Circle of Life. For the people to thrive and blossom, the Sacred Hoop must be whole and unbroken.

For those who live in the United State of America, the tribal Animal Totem is the bald eagle; for those that live in the state of California, the clan Animal Totem is the state animal, the Grizzly Bear..