It describes the lives of two Gwich'in Athabaskans, Daagoo and Bird Girl, who each defy the rules of their culture and strike out on their own.

She and Daagoo (Snow grouse) are members of two different clans of the people of the Gwich'in, belonging to the Athabaskan tribes.

The murderers are, to Daagoo's view, invaders from the north - Inupiat, called by the Gwich'in Ch'eekwais (Inuit).

Bird Girl finds a faraway cave and puts away winter provisions—only there is no caribou meat.

Bird Girl is overpowered by a Ch'eekwai man, whose father was killed by Gwich'in, and is kidnapped northwards.

"...the author interweaves two classic Athabaskan legends set in ancient central Alaska.

This is the story of two rebels who break the strict taboos of their communal culture in their quests for freedom and adventure.