The Necessities of Life

In 1952 an Inuit hunter named Tivii with tuberculosis leaves his northern home and family to go recuperate at a sanatorium in Quebec City Uprooted far from his loved ones unable to speak French and faced with a completely alien world he becomes despondent When he refuses to eat and expresses a wish to die his nurse Carole comes to the realization that Tiviis illness is not the most serious threat to his wellbeing She arranges to have a young orphan Kaki transferred to the institution The boy is also sick but has experience with both worlds and speaks both languages By sharing his culture with Kaki and opening it up to others Tivii rediscovers his pride and energy Ultimately he also rediscovers hope through a plan to adopt Kaki bring him home and make him part of his family