The book tells the story of a young Anglican priest named Mark Brian who, unbeknown to him, has not long to live.

He learns to win the friendship of some of the First Nations people and encounters their deeply rooted faith and ancient beliefs.

Mark is about to be recalled by his bishop when he hears the owl call his name, which foretells imminent death according to Kwakwaka'wakw belief.

In 1973, the year of its American release, the book was adapted by Gerald Di Pego as a CBS television movie of the same title directed by Daryl Duke and starring Tom Courtenay and Dean Jagger.

She spent time studying the native culture to write the original book.