At the center of the piece, the tree of life with a lightning mark spreads over sun dancers in ceremony. At the top of the piece, a man dances with his Chanupah while other dancers climb up his back. Through the ceremonial ways, he opens the door for them, back to the "happy hunting grounds" in the ancestral star realm above. A blooming sun in traditional star quilt patterning spreads its rays above seven tipis representing the seven generations, the seven council fires, and the seven directions, as well as the seven bands of Dakota who speak different dialects of the Lakota Language. Below, a man stands poised at the east gate, looking into the ceremony arbor. His clothes are stamped with horses, thought to be thunder beings whose footsteps bring weather patterns like hail and rain.
This painting is dedicated to Chief Marvins mother, and is represented by the woman carrying the sacred water in her pale. She was a sun dancer when he was a child, as well as a spokeswoman for the tribe. It is also dedicated to his horse, who was named Bocefus. Horses hold an important role within the ceremony and are treated with great respect. Bocefus, also considered a sun dancer, participated in the ceremony for over 25 years.