Super Short Summary

Waterlily by Ella Cara Deloria follows the lives of Blue Bird and her daughter Waterlily within the Dakota camp circle called White Ghost. After being separated from her original circle, Blue Bird marries Star Elk, who later abandons her. She returns to White Ghost, marries Rainbow, and raises Waterlily, who grows up observing Dakota social roles and rituals. Waterlily marries Sacred Horse, deals with loss, and eventually remarries Lowanla, embracing her roles within her community. The book contains depictions of smallpox and loss of loved ones due to disease and conflict.