Leave Our Bones Where They Lay

Every solstice, Jupi—just as his father did before him, and his before him—must make a nearly impossible pilgrimage to light an oil lamp at the base of a remote cliff. There he must wait for Kipik, an ancient being who has bound Jupi’s family to a mammoth task: share a story every visit that appeases the fickle Kipik, or suffer unthinkable consequences.

For decades Jupi has made the trek, growing grey and exhausted carrying this burden. Nearing the end of his life, Jupi knows he must name a successor, someone from his bloodline who can carry this weight and pass it on to future generations. But Jupi’s life has not been easy. His three children, one deceased, one incarcerated, one addicted, are not suitable successors. So Jupi must connect with a granddaughter he barely knows, whose language he barely speaks, and convince her to carry the weight of their family, perhaps their whole community, for the rest of her life.

This moving collection explores shifting definitions of what it means to be accountable to others, how family and community are defined, and how the spirits and demons of the past (both personal and legendary) are very much alive today.

Written by Aviaq Johnston

Paperback (English) | ISBN: 978-1-77227-589-6 | $19.95 | 9” x 6″ | black and white illustrations throughout | 136 pages | Adult

Praise

“A must-read for those interested in contemporary Indigenous life in the north or just good storytelling, this linked short story collection is unusual and engrossing. Johnston’s literary stories shine for their accessibility, wonderfully drawn family relationships, and evocative settings; the presence of the mystical adds an extra frisson.”—★ Library Journal, STARRED review

“If you’re a person interested in Indigenous writing and want to understand the role of horror or the supernatural in this kind of writing, this is a great pathway, entryway or gateway into the world of Indigenous horror.”—JJ Lee, CBC Books

“This book explores the importance of storytelling, and the necessity of passing those stories down to the next generation. It’s steeped in Inuit culture, but its message is universal.”—Anchorage Daily News