Centuries ago in what would become the Canadian Arctic Atuat is promised to the malevolent Oki son of the leader of their tribe. But Atuat loves the good-natured Atanarjuat who ultimately finds a way to marry her. Oki's sister Puja also fancies Atanarjuat and when she causes strife between him and his brother Amaqjuaq Oki seizes the opportunity to wreak a terrible revenge on Atanarjuat.