Wandering Stars begins with a prologue detailing the brutal realities of Native American life under colonization, including the forced assimilation of Indian children and the massacres at Sand Creek and the Washita River. The children were taken from their homes, stripped of their identities, and subjected to severe abuse and cultural erasure. The prologue highlights the intergenerational trauma and struggles for identity that permeate the narrative.
The story unfolds in three parts—Before, Aftermath, and Future—following multiple characters across different timelines. They are all connected through their shared heritage and experiences. Part One introduces characters like Jude Star, Charles Star, Opal Viola, and Victoria Bear Shield. Key chapters include "Young Ghosts," where Jude Star grapples with his heritage, and "An Honest Lunatic," where historical figures like Richard Henry Pratt are juxtaposed with personal stories. The narrative weaves through their lives revealing the deep scars left by colonization and the ongoing battle to reclaim their cultural identity. These characters' stories are marked by moments of loss, resistance, and small triumphs.
Beginning in the late 1800s U.S., the narrative depicts the lives of Jude Star, his son Charles, and subsequent generations. Jude survives the massacre and imprisonment at Fort Marion but has to struggle with substance abuse and family separation. Charles endures abuse at Carlisle before succumbing to a life of crime and addiction in Oakland. Charles's wife dies in childbirth and leaves behind a daughter named Victoria who is raised by white parents. Later, she had two daughters named Opal Viola and Jacquie. Opal adopts Jacquie's sons Orvil, Loother, and Lony. Each grapples with their heritage and personal demons in unique ways from substance abuse to self-harm. The narrative reaches its climax in a journey to Alcatraz Island where the family confronts their past and present traumas. Orvil's near-death experience prompts him to seek recovery, while Lony's departure sparks reconciliation through a heartfelt letter years later.
The characters navigate modern life while being haunted by the ghosts of their ancestors yet determined to forge a path forward. Chapters like "How to Fly" and "Who Can Say Indian?" highlight the ongoing struggles with identity and cultural survival. The final section looks forward to addressing recovery and the possibilities for future generations. In "Rehab" and "Dead Letter Mail," the narrative shifts towards healing and the quest for a cohesive identity amidst the scars of history.
