Though he is mocked and ridiculed by the locals (being called a "Washington Redskin"), including tribal police officer Walter Crow Horse, Ray finds that he has an unaccountable standing with some of the tribal elders such as Grandpa Sam Reaches. The natives recognize Ray as "Thunderheart": a Native American hero slain at the Wounded Knee Massacre in the past, and now reincarnated to deliver them from their current troubles. While helping Cooch track down the suspect, Ray meets Maggie Eagle Bear, a Native American political activist and schoolteacher. After experiencing the harrowing conditions and violence from Milton's pro-government faction on the res, Ray gradually becomes sensitized to Indian issues.