Read "Those Who Run in the Sky" by Aviaq Johnston, and then participate in a tour of current exhibits at the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery.
Written by Iqaluit-based Inuit author Aviaq Johnston, "Those Who Run in the Sky" is a coming-of-age story that follows a young shaman named Pitu as he learns to use his powers and ultimately finds himself lost in the world of the spirits. After a strange and violent blizzard leaves Pitu stranded on the sea ice, without his dog team or any weapons to defend himself, he soon realizes that he is no longer in the world that he once knew. The storm has carried him into the world of the spirits, a world populated with terrifying creatures---black wolves with red eyes, ravenous and constantly stalking him; water-dwelling creatures that want nothing more than to snatch him and pull him into the frigid ocean through an ice crack. As well as beings less frightening, but equally as incredible, such as a lone giant who can carry Pitu in the palm of her hand and keeps caribou and polar bears as pets. After stumbling upon a fellow shaman who has been trapped in the spirit world for many years, Pitu must master all of his shamanic powers to make his way back to the world of the living, to his family, and to the girl that he loves.
Pick up a copy of "Those Who Run in the Sky" by Aviaq Johnston from the Sarnia Library. The book club will meet for a discussion of the book at the Sarnia Library and then walk to the Judith Norman and Alix Art Gallery for a tour of the Dark Ice exhibit. Discussion of the book will continue at the art gallery in relation to the exhibit.
