Twelve-year-old Hanata loves exploring the hills and riverbanks of her prairie home, picking berries and making toys for the smaller children in her camp. But Hanata's life is far from carefree. Everything is connected to the innii, or buffalo, which the Blackfoot people rely on for food, clothing and even the toys they play with. When a winter storm descends on the land, the buffalo disappear and the people begin to grow hungry. All hope is lost until Hanata has a dream that will lead her on a search for a magical stone with the power to bring back the innii.