Schoolboy Josh Townsend has to move again with his father, astrophysics researcher Dr. Nick Townsend, to a New Mexico small town. To escape the copy-boy job dad arranged, Josh volunteers for the tribal buffalo reserve, working with Navajo clan elder John Blackhorse's cynical grandson Thomas and his buddy Moon. Local scamp Kyle's cool cyclist knaves gang seems irresistible, but their hazing-like demands bring Josh to betray his buffalo friends's reluctant confidence.