Eleven year old Jules has lived with her Mom in the tiny community of Wekweeti, NWT, for most of her life. When Jules joins members of the community on a traditional canoe trip through the ancestral lands of the Thcho People, she is not happy. She would rather stay at home and mope. On the trip, she is expected to do chores, she's not allowed to paddle, and she's terrified of bears. Plus, she misses Uncle Joe, the man who was like a father to her and who recently passed away. Lonely, miserable, and angry, Jules can't wait for the trip to be over - until things start to change. With wisdom from the Elders and support from her friends, she gains strength and a new understanding and respect for the land and its history.