This is a story that rings true on many levels. A tough guy with a good heart earns the acceptance of close-knit community of Native Americans. He has befriended a young man with his unselfish action; slowly he learns a new language and traditional ways. He gains the approval of his friend's mother and slowly the extended family. A elderly male relative is a healer; after the newcomer shows appropriate patience and willingness he is guided through a ritual cleansing. Once he passed this test, he begins to understand what his personal challenge is, and at the end of the book he is ready to face his own history. All through there are many beautiful descriptions of a dramatic landscapes and encounters with wildlife. I very much enjoyed the good writing and the vivid scenes from a culture I had never before encountered, and I learned to like and admire the protagonist and the other characters in this book.