The film follows its protagonist Vella, as she makes tentative forays into the Native American portion of her lineage.  This process leads her to consider a more expanded racial identity, despite the fact she has always thought of herself as an African American or Black woman.

 Vella's saga is interspersed with the stories and/or opinions of four other individuals: Tall Oak, Rick, Jolene and Sequoyah- all of whom possess strong multicultural identities.