The Heartwood inuusik ✾

"my mother. she ... hmm ... educated me to know many things about how to be head of your own ulaq." kukutux did not know why she spoke so easily, only that it was a relief to do so.

"you take the skin from the meat and turn it over. you chew the other side till it is clean. and then leave it in the eye of the sun spirit to dry." 

her words were like a waterfall that kuktutux cut off sheepishly, going mute in apologetic embarrassment and glancing off toward a faded game trail.