Hunkakaga was first used to make peace between the Lakota and the Ree tribe. By making the Ree relatives, it insured peace between the tribes. This relationship mirrored the relationship of the Lakota with Wakan-Tanka.
The first ceremony with the Ree took place over several days. Near the end, came the painting of faces. The women's faces were painted red, and the men's were painted red with a blue circle around the face and blue lines on the forehead, cheekbones and chin. Being painted symbolizes that the person has changed, been reborn and taken on new responsibilities and a new realtionship. Past troubles between the new relatives are forgotten.
Today, one can become part of a Tiyospaye by birth, marriage or hunkakaga.
We are all related. We are all one.-- Part of the hunkakaga ceremony