Archilde Leon is a musician leading a life far removed from his family's ranch in Montana. He returns home to find himself entangled in the complex dynamics of his mixed heritage and familial obligations. This journey back to his roots forces Archilde to confront his identity and the expectations placed upon him.

Homecoming and Family Tensions

Archilde Leon, who earns his keep playing music in Portland, travels back to Montana to visit his family’s ranch. His father, Max, resides in the main house with Archilde’s sister, Agnes, and her sons, Mike and Narcisse. Meanwhile, his mother, Catharine, the daughter of a Salish chief and devoutly religious, lives in a cabin on the property, adhering to a traditional Indian lifestyle. Upon returning, Archilde learns that his brother Louis is hiding in the nearby mountains after stealing horses. To celebrate Archilde’s return, Catharine holds a feast attended by several members of the community, including Modeste, a revered Salish elder. Max is anxious about Archilde’s future, hoping he would take over the family farm, but is vexed to learn his son prefers returning to Portland to pursue his music career. Max confides his concerns in Father Grepilloux, an elderly priest, who offers Archilde support with his musical pursuits if he stays to manage the farm.

The Harvest and Old Memories

To Max’s surprise, Archilde remains through the fall to help with the harvest, spending time with the priests while honing his music skills. These moments transport Archilde back to his childhood at the Indian boarding school. He recalls a particular day when the clouds formed a cross in the sky, prompting everyone to kneel in reverence. However, Archilde stood apart, captivated by a bird soaring across the sky, indifferent to the celestial "sign." During the harvest, his young nephews, Mike and Narcisse, are taken to the priests' school against their will.

A Tragic Hunting Trip

Catharine decides to go deer hunting, and Archilde accompanies her. As they traverse the mountains, they encounter Dave Quigley, the sheriff hunting for Louis, and later, Louis himself. The trio—Catharine, Archilde, and Louis—persist in their hunt until a game warden confronts them for hunting doe out of season. Tensions escalate as Louis's nervous demeanor alarms the warden, who fatally shoots him. As the warden dismounts to inspect Louis’s body, Catharine kills him with an axe. Archilde, shocked by the violence, aids his mother in burying the warden's body and taking Louis’s corpse home, claiming they found him dead in the mountains.

Detention and Familial Changes

The suspicious circumstances lead to Archilde's detainment at the Government Indian Agency. Upon his release, he learns that his father grew ill at Father Grepilloux’s funeral. After reconciling with Archilde, Max passes away. This loss propels Archilde to remain and tend to the family land, initiating a series of changes. Catharine moves back into the main house, while Mike and Narcisse return from the Indian school, though Mike struggles emotionally due to the mistreatment he endured there.

Healing and Cultural Reaffirmation

During the annual Fourth of July dance, Modeste arranges for Mike to assist, allowing him to dance with the other Indians, which seems to restore his spirit. Catharine, in a gathering of tribal elders, declares her wish to renounce her baptism. She recounts a dream where she was rejected by both the white people's heaven, for lacking other Indians, and the Indian heaven, for being baptized. Troubled by her guilt over the game warden's death and her son Louis's loss, she finds no solace through confession to the priests. She asks for tribal permission to undergo whipping, as per ancient customs, to...