The protagonist, Nolan, is a thirteen-year-old First Nations boy from the western end of the Northwest Territories. Nolan lives in a fairly small village, just off the border with the American state of Alaska. Nolan Loves being outdoors, specially with his father, who teaches Nolan how to hunt. They go on many hunting trips together. Nolan’s father is a skilled hunter himself, he comes back with fresh meat for his family to eat every day. Once he has collected enough animal fur, Nolan’s father travels 450 km to the nearest Hudson Bay Company outpost to sell it. He makes very good money. Nolan is also eager to learn the skill of hunting; he already knows how to swim, set up camp to survive in the wilderness, set traps, throw a spear, and catch fish. Finally, his father tells Nolan: “Son, you are ready. Go sell some fur and make our family proud.” Nolan is beaming with happiness. Nolan leaves tomorrow. He eats his last dinner together with the family, says goodbye to his friends, and leaves at dawn. He’s never been far away from home for multiple days at once.

     Nolan leaves his village the crack of dawn. He heads toward the wilderness of the forest. He still remembers the first time he was here; it felt so calming and soothing. Today it feels overwhelming. Nolan continues to walk for a while, looking at the blue birds, the green leaves, and the brown bark on the big trees. Before he realizes the sun begins to set. He lays down his tent and picks some berries from a nearby bush. He falls asleep underneath the glowing stars. The next day, Nolan is up bright and early; he pours water over the fire and packs up his spears. Nolan must now look for a suitable first kill. He searches a round for what seems to be like a long time, but the key to a successful hunt is utter, unwavering patience. After another half hour, Nolan runs out of patience. “Its like this forest died,” he says “I cant seem to find anything other than worms and flies.” Nolan decides to take a break and catch some fish for lunch. He’s sitting in front of the fire, munching on a freshly caught salmon, charred to perfection on a campfire, when he is is enlightened by the greatest of ideas. He can use the leftover bones to set a trap! He puts the bones in the center of a fairly open field —as open as one can get in a wild forest. Nolan puts together a makeshift ghillie suit to camouflage with the rest of the forest, then he climbs a tree and waits patiently.

    Soon enough, Nolan finds out that his plan had worked; he hears a loud roar coming from a few meters away. Could be a tiger? no those don't exist in Canada, is it a lion? nope, don't exist either... But then, he catches sight of a massive black bear. He jumps down instantly and attempts to pick up his spear, but gets knocked back by the bear’s massive paws. Still in profound shock and panic, Nolan rushes back up to the bear, who has broken all of Nolan’s spears and also eaten his fish. The bear roars at Nolan. Nolan roars back. This starts a roaring contest between the two, each one roaring more ferociously than the other. Finally, they both charge at each other with immense force and anger. They jump up, attempting to hit each other. Nolan uppercuts the bear, just the way his father had demonstrated. Nolan stands on top of the bear, smiling victorious like the greatest hero, and feeling very cool. 

      Nolan skins the bear and packs up his spear. He returns to camp and goes to sleep. The next day, Nolan, with his bear pelt, begins the trek back home to his village. He is extremely excited to show his parents the great first kill. When he gets back, the entire village welcomes him. His father couldn’t be more proud. After a massive feast of fresh chicken, fish, and apples, Nolan goes to sleep. The next day, he wakes up to set out on the long and treacherous journey to the nearby HBC outpost. Nolan must walk 450km east with his tent, bear skin, flask, and fishing rod. He walks through tall mountains, white snow, green trees, and massive rocks. This is truly a beautiful journey. Finally, after two months of continuous walking, Nolan reaches the city. This is where he will find the HBC outpost. He asks for directions from the locals and heads over to the outpost. “This is so different from home,” Nolan said to himself. There were bright candles and clerks in business suits everywhere. Nolan heads to the front desk, expecting a bit of a negotiation. The clerk said that they don’t deal with fur anymore due to a merger that they has just six hours ago. Nolan, greatly disappointed, walks back home and lives happily ever after, selling fish and meat to the village.