Initiation
“Ravens flew above my head. Countless. Like black thunder, their caws crackled in my ears. Again and again they pounded, throwing me to the sand. I covered my ears. But still they cried. Then the darkness dropped down, and out of it, the brother and sister appeared.”
- Noh.
The Way is broken and the fortune of the tribe has turned. Together, the Salmon Twins, son and daughter of the chief, will begin their initiation into adulthood and fulfill the roles determined for them at birth.
Nanolatch will become a warrior chief while his sister, Nana, will be sold in marriage to another tribe.
The chief of the Kwakiutl tribe leads a war party to destroy a neighbouring village. When the fighting is over, they return home with a slave, the daughter of a Salish shaman. The mute slave is given to Nana as a gift and guardian, meant to help her through her initiation. The people search for a way to undo the curse, but only the slave knows what the spirit world really wants.
Who will undo the curse and save the Kwakiutl people?
Introduction by Swarna D., age 17
Reviews
CM Review Warning: contains spoilers!
Quill & Quire Review Warning: contains spoilers!
Canlit Review Warning: contains spoilers!
Awards
- Shortlisted: Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Snow Willow Award 2005
