Bitterroot Valley katmiksuk ⦕

He had spoken in the language that was her mother's birthright, and Sialuk found herself leaning forward to hear it. Anaa did the duty of introducing them to this man. It seemed they had not met, but somehow Sialuk felt her mother knew more than she seemed. This was often the case with Kukutux.

This was not the suitor her mother had spoken of before—Issorartuyok—though Tuuluuwaq did speak the sounds of the north. Could they be kinsmen to one another? And if so, why did anaa look between her daughter and this man in such a way. Perhaps the former was no longer a prospect, though Sialuk did not feel sadness for such a thing if it was true. She had not even made a meeting with him, her spirit dim these past few months.

I greet you, she said, once her mother's voice fell to silence.

Is Issorartuyok family to you? she asked.