As in many of his other novels, Highwater uses the theme of the decline and fall of the Native American world and blends it with an examination of the mythology of traditional Native Americans. While Anpao journeys through a variety of Native American legends and myths in his quest for the lodge of the Sun, he also journeys through Native American history. This journey takes Anpao across the earth, below it, and above it, as dreams and reality combine to create their own definition of time and place.

Told by the beautiful Ko-ko-mik-e-is that he must have the Sun remove the scar from his face before she will marry him, Anpao and his twin brother Oapna, a reflection of his contrary self, begin a journey. Along the way, Anpao hears the stories of the creation of the world and the beginning of death, which is brought on by...