This animated short by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril tells a tragic and twisted story about the dangers of revenge. A cruel mother mistreats her son, feeding him dog meat and forcing him to sleep in the cold. A loon, who tells the boy that his mother blinded him, helps the child regain his eyesight. Then the boy seeks revenge, releasing his mother's lifeline as she harpoons a whale and watching her drown. Based on a portion of the epic Inuit legend "The Blind Boy and the Loon."
Ages 8 to 11
Arts Education - Visual Arts
Family Studies/Home Economics - Relationships
Indigenous Studies - Identity/Society
Inuit culture places great significance on animals and their spiritual powers. What does the loon represent to Inuit people and why would it be an appropriate animal to give back the boy’s sight? Ask students whether they agree with the boy’s decision to trick his mother. Is he punished for this? Why or why not? Have students research stories from other cultures in which a human is changed into an animal as punishment or reward.