Twelve year old Timothy Azure, a half-blood Chippewa Indian, and his Sioux
buddy, Joe Little Dog, spend their free time thinking up tricks to play on
their friends Bobo and Lulu Olsen. They soon realize Bobo and Lulu are
changing...for the worse. Eventually they drift apart for good.
Timothy enjoys running with his spirit horses that only he can see. On
his
birthday Dad and Grandfather give him a horse he names Chief. The spirit
horses bid him a sad farewell, and he knows he is growing up and doesn't
need their companionship anymore.
He's concerned about alcoholism on the reservation. His dad was, and
Joe's
dad is, an alcoholic. When Joe's dad dies Timothy has a bad dream about
the
disease, and Grandfather says it's time for the sweat lodge and the vision
quest ceremonies. This is where Timothy receives his Indian name, Little
Eagle.
During a winter blizzard Joe steals Chief, so he can pretend for a little
while Chief is his. Timothy, brother Kenny and Dad find Joe, who is
trapped
under a fallen log, leg broken. Timothy forgives him, knowing how lonely
he
is with no grandfather to bond with.
The day after New Years Grandfather passes on to the spirit world.
Timothy
goes to the sweat lodge to grieve, and hears Grandfather's voice in the
wind, assuring him he'll always be with him. He determines to carry on
the
teachings and traditions he has learned from his beloved grandfather.
