A mining company has discovered a rich mineral deposit in Alaska's enormous Iqaluk Wildlife Refuge. Politicos see dollar signs for the state, but Ninilta residents, who live near the proposed site, are split: Will outsiders take the jobs? Will the environment be harmed by pollution? Will roads disintegrate? Tourists invade?

As the new chairperson of Ninilta's Native Association, a job she never wanted, Kate Shugak is embarassingly ill-equipped to handle the questions. Nor is she prepared when two individuals associated with the company turn up dead.