Waterlily

Waterlily is the main character of this novel. She is the daughter of Blue Bird and Star Elk. Shortly after her birth, her father leaves her mother and her mother returns to her own camp circle. Once Waterlily is back with her mother's family, she becomes friends with a young boy named Little Chief whose father Rainbow soon marries Blue Bird.

Waterlily spends most of her childhood with her new grandmother Gloku and her cousins. Gloku teaches Waterlily the ways of the Dakota women. When Waterlily is a teenager, her father Rainbow takes the family to a Sun Dance Festival, where Waterlily sees a boy named Lowanla. Waterlily is so taken with this boy that she offers him some water during the festival, even though this act is forbidden. She is so embarrassed by her actions that she runs away before Lowanla can see who has offered him...