AGNES ROTH, played by Michelle St. John

Agnes Roth was born on May 22, 1967, to Esther Roth, a second-generation Russian Jew, and Bud "Buddy" Adams, a Spokane Indian who was born in Seattle, and never once set foot on the Spokane Indian Reservation even though it was only a short five-hour drive away. Esther and Buddy were traveling musicians, usually the fourth- or fifth-best pianist and guitar player in any given club. At the age of 16, Agnes began early studies at St. Jerome the Second University, originally intending to study biochemistry and music composition, but eventually ended up graduating with a degree in elementary music education. She has taught sixth grade and guided the Wellpinit Grade and High School orchestras and choirs since moving to the Spokane Indian Reservation shortly after graduating from college. She's been romantically involved with Aristotle Joseph for seven years, after having asked him to owl dance at the 1994 Spokane Indian Days Powwow and Celebration.

"Do you want to dance?" Agnes asked Aristotle.
"No," he said.
"You have to," she said. "You know the rules. If you say no to me, you have to give me money and tell the entire crowd here why you refused."
"How come you have so much power all of a sudden?" he asked.
"It's the matriarchy, man," she said. "It's the matriarchy."

Agnes and Aristotle have been tentatively owl dancing ever since.