The Scarlet Feather — Joan Grant

Piyanah, the heroine of Scarlet Feather, is a member of a Native American tribe that has strayed from its noble heritage. Her clairvoyant mother refuses to accept the brutality of the tribe's laws and the segregation of men from women, so Piyanah and her cousin Raki grow up as outsiders. When she learns that her father is Chief Na-ka-check, Piyanah chooses to defy tradition and train as a Brave, overcoming daunting physical and spiritual challenges. Meanwhile Raki learns from the squaws, gaining female knowledge and empathy.