The expanded world view is immediately surrounded by the acronym "INAFA" and a Native American flute, indicating that adherents of, and performers of, this particular kind of ethnic, arbitrarily-keyed flute may be found world-wide.

Encircling the world is the full name of the organization and the sign of the Morning Star which is a sacred symbol to many Plains tribes. Like the sound of flutes, the planet Venus (also known as the Morning Star) has numerous connotations and is referred to many times in a variety of cultures and tribes around the world.

It could mean that the path of INAFA is one that encircles the world, beginning with a musical prayer to the east where the Morning Star resides and returning full circle to begin the next adventure in one's life road.

In the future, the space surrounding the Native American flute icon will become filled with other ethnic flute icons as INAFA expands and encompasses the world's flutes.

R. Carlos Nakai
co-founder of the
International Native American Flute Association