Actors portray Native American father, mother, and their boy, riding on a buckboard wagon pulled by two horses. White clouds low on horizon behind them. The parents speak to the boy about his grandfather's death, and talk about beginning anew. Brief view of of a burning funeral pyre, in the desert, with dramatic outcroppings of rock in background. Slate appears telling about the family in ensuing years.
Large group of Native Americans chant and dance as they reenact old tribal ceremonial activities. Several discuss deaths of their parents from disease (tuberculosis) and ponder competing views for combating it. One thinks old ways are better but another thinks more modern methods might be called for. A young Native American man sitting alone with with a young Native American woman, speaks about his decision to attend a White man's boarding school.
Native American actors portraying story of youth who leaves a reservation in the United States to attend a boarding school. A man saddles his horse and brings another with him as he crosses a fenced area, past a man chopping wood. He stops near a young woman, named Nema, standing in front of a low log shelter. A young man, named Robert, says goodbye to her and to an older man named, Slow Talker, standing near a buckboard wagon. Robert climbs on the empty horse and canters away with the other rider. As they watch the riders depart, Slow Talker tells Nema, that Robert is forsaking the ways of his people. The riders continue across the desert landscape and then are seen walking up to a substantial building housing the boarding school. Robert enters as his companion bids him good luck. Robert is seen inside the school with text book open as he writes. Another scene shows him practicing in a forge, as part of his training. He cleans up in a lavatory.
Native American actors portraying boys at a boarding school. They play volley ball on a school field. A school supervisor calls them together and introduces a physician, who tells them they look strong but could harbor germs. Doctor examines one of the boys, by tapping on parts of his upper body, as he explains what he is doing. He uses a stethoscope. He takes a chest Xray of the boy. The doctor removes the film and tells the boy he'll show it to him after it is developed.
Native American Indian actor, playing role of a youth at a boarding school, reviews his chest X-ray with the physician who points out a spot on his long due to tuberculosis. The boy objects, stating that he feels well. The doctor tells him he should go to a sanitorium to recover. The next scene shows the boy sitting in a bed at the sanitorium, having his dinner tray brought by a nurse.
Native American Indian (actor) galloping on horseback along desert trails amidst dramatic rock outcroppings in Western United States. He arrives at the fenced yard of a family on a Native American tribal reservation. A young Native American woman, weaving at a loom, in front of a small dwelling, asks about the health of her friend (who had been diagnosed with TB). The rider crouches near her grandfather, seated on the ground, who scoffs at the idea of the youth being sick. He harks back to the days of their ancestors. The girl suggests that rest may indeed be needed to overcome TB. The rider bearing news, coughs from time to time, and the girl suggests that he also see a doctor. He objects, saying he is strong.