Twelve women artists and writers open this rare window on the northern world of the Inuit. From the nine artists, reminiscences of life on the land and thoughtful comments on the sources of inspiration for their art are interwoven with vivid images of a unique culture and a stern landscape. From the writers, comments from different vantage points illuminate the experience of Inuit women in the modern world.

The voices of these women resonate throughout the book, recording their memories of a way of life that is threatened. Each one has a story to tell -- of growing up female in a harsh environment, of adapting to new cultures and learning the nuances of new ways, of learning new art forms through which to portray the best -- and worst -- of their extraordinary lives. Each one speaks her concerns with energy: each artist illustrates her passions using art that is at once subtle and bold, delicate in detail yet forceful.