Newfoundland in the early 1800s and the native Beothuk Indians are facing extinction after being driven from their homelands by European incomers. Suffering belated guilt over the actions of the settlers, the British government sends an expedition to establish friendly relations. But when these intentions are misread the mission ends in violence fuelled by tragedy.
Across a harsh but beautiful sub-arctic landscape a vivid cast of settlers, outlaws and natives struggle with both the environment and misunderstandings on a grand and a personal scale.