The red nation shall rise again and it shall be a blessing for a sick world; a world filled with broken promises, selfishness and separations; a world longing for light again. I see a time of seven generations when all the colors of mankind will gather under the sacred tree of life and the whole earth will become one circle again.– Tȟašúŋke Witkó (Crazy Horse), Oglala Lakota Leader (1840-1877)

In the late 1800s, Oglala Lakota holy man Heȟáka Sápa (Black Elk) had a vision at the age of 9 when he became ill and had a near-death experience. When he awoke and shared his vision, he felt the dream was a prophecy of a great suffering that would be set upon Native people and it wouldn’t be until seven generations later that a sacred duty would be laid upon the people to take a stand for their relatives and the earth again.

In his vision, he saw a “great tree” that symbolized all life on earth. He foresaw war, famine and sickness among his people and their sacred circle would be broken. After seven generations of this darkness, there would be a reuniting for not only for his people, the Lakota, but for all people on earth. This seventh generation will take back what little culture and rights remain and amplify positive change for future generations that don’t yet exist. Today, many elders and Native leaders see a clear rise of the 7th generation in their people today. These people, and those represented in The Red Road Project, are making positive impacts within their communities and for future generations.

The seventh generation are activists, teachers, artists, doctors, scientists, community leaders, attorneys, language warriors, spiritual leaders, powwow celebrities, single parents. They are aunties, grandfathers, children, uncles and cousins… they have all risen above the darkness that has plagued their people for generations. They are on a path of healing from historical trauma and want to inspire change within their communities by strengthening their sacred hoop while breaking the unbalanced cycles.