In 1952, an Inuit hunter named Tivii, suffering from tuberculosis, is sent away from his northern home and family to a sanatorium in Quebec City for treatment. Isolated from his loved ones and unable to communicate in French, Tivii finds himself in a completely unfamiliar environment, leading to feelings of despair. When he stops eating and expresses a desire to die, his nurse, Carole, realizes that his emotional state poses a greater threat than his physical illness. She arranges for a young orphan named Kaki, who is also ill but familiar with both cultures and languages, to join Tivii at the facility. Through sharing his cultural heritage with Kaki and others, Tivii regains his sense of pride and vitality. Ultimately, he finds renewed hope in the idea of adopting Kaki, bringing him back home, and making him a part of his family.