Before long, Sunbeam and Meeko hear the call to return to the reservation. Rekindling their relationship with the old ones, the couple adhere to their advice and strive to bring the rest of the people back to the blanket of traditional wisdom. To cleanse them of the poverty leading to abuse, rape, incest, and other forms of violence now rampant in reservation life, Sunbeam and Meeko establish a large corporation and joint venture with major oil companies. This initiative paves the way to new laws, giving Indian people more control over their lands and increasing the job opportunities on reservations. In the wake of an oil boom generating millions of dollars, however, the people begin to lose their direction.
Bars fill to all hours of the night.
Weekly murders and rapes darken reservation life. Sunbeam and Meeko share that vision, together with a committed love for their people. They work hard to maintain the sacred rites on their pipes. Eventually they become Sundancers, learning to see with their hearts, all the while reading government and industry contracts with cold, discerning eyes. After ten years of material success, Meeko becomes increasingly dependent on alcohol and drugs, leading to several suicide attempts.