The narrative unfolds through the experiences of Rayona, Christine, and Ida, three distinct Native American women. It starts with Rayona in the hospital playing cards with her frequently hospitalized mother, Christine. Christine has a drinking problem and often bickers with Rayona's father, Elgin. A particular argument prompts Rayona to wander off into the parking lot only to find Christine attempting to break into their car. Christine intends to crash the car so Rayona can receive the life insurance payout. Rayona thwarts her plan and they both drive off, leaving their home in Seattle heading to Christine's childhood home, a reservation in Montana. The car breaks down near their destination, and they are forced to walk the rest of the way. They are not warmly received by Christine's mother, Ida, who they both call Aunt Ida. Christine abandons Rayona with Ida and leaves. Rayona doesn't like the reservation; she is ridiculed for her dark skin and finds solace only at the local mission where she is persuaded by Father Tom to join a religious youth group, the God Squad.

Father Tom invites Rayona to a religious gathering. They stop for a swim in Bearpaw Lake on the way, but things get uncomfortable when Father Tom makes inappropriate advances toward Rayona. They decide to return to the reservation, but Rayona yearns to go back to Seattle. Father Tom arranges a train ticket for her, but Rayona purposely misses the train and spends the night next to the tracks. The following day, Rayona meets Sky, a gas station attendant. Sky's wife, Evelyn, provides Rayona with a janitorial job at Bearpaw Lake State Park. Rayona creates a fictional family history for herself and tells Sky and Evelyn that her parents are away. When Evelyn discovers Rayona's deception, Rayona confesses the truth. Evelyn plans to return Rayona to the reservation, but Rayona is convinced they can find her mother at a local rodeo. Rayona ends up participating in the rodeo, substituting for a drunk participant, Foxy Cree from the reservation. She performs remarkably and earns a prize for her determination. Dayton, the horse owner, and Christine's on-off boyfriend, take Rayona back to his home. There, she confronts Christine, leading to an argument. The next day, Christine shares her story about losing faith when a predicted apocalyptic event didn't occur.

The story then transitions to Christine's perspective. Her youth is marked by a close relationship with her brother, Lee, and a fascination with a boy named Dayton who is more interested in Lee. After high school, Christine works for the tribal council and has numerous relationships. When the Vietnam War begins, Lee plans to dodge the draft. Christine persuades him to enlist to protect their reputations and his political aspirations. Christine moves to Seattle where she receives a letter from Dayton announcing that Lee is missing in action. She starts a relationship with army corporal, Elgin, becomes pregnant, and they get married. The marriage is shaky, and shortly before giving birth to her daughter, Rayona, she finds out Lee is dead. Christine leaves Elgin when Rayona is nine months old. After Lee's body is returned to the reservation, Christine is blamed for his death because she encouraged him to enlist. She tries to raise Rayona in Seattle while dealing with serious health issues. When her doctor tells her she only has six months to live, she tries to crash her car again to give Rayona the insurance money. Instead, they run out of gas and decide to return to the reservation. Christine leaves Rayona with Ida and goes to Dayton's house. Her relationship with Rayona is strained but improves slightly when they go on a road trip.

The narrative finally shifts to Ida, recounting her earlier life. Clara, Ida's aunt, becomes pregnant with Ida's father, Lecon's, child. To avoid shame, they decide to pretend that the child is Ida's. The child, Christine, is born in a motherhouse in Colorado. Ida takes Christine back to Montana as Clara decides to give Christine up for adoption. Ida refuses and legally becomes Christine's mother. Ida's own family life disintegrates; her mother passes away, her father leaves, and her sister gets married. She enters a relationship with Willard Pretty Dog, a war veteran she had a crush on in high school. They have a son, Lee, who grows up to be more confident than his sister Christine. Christine becomes devoutly religious and fears the apocalypse. Ida indulges Christine's fears, but when the world doesn't end as predicted, Lee mocks them both. The story concludes with Ida and Father Hurlburt sitting on her roof in the darkness while she braids her hair.