Within Cole Mathews lie anger, rage and hate. He deals with this mayhem and his abusive father by fighting, stealing and bullying kids at school. But one day he goes too far, severely beating a classmate in a fit of rage. Sent to a juvenile facility and facing extensive jail time, Cole is presented with an unconventional trail program based on the indigenous methods of a Healing Circle. His sentence:  One-year isolation on a remote Alaskan island where he must live off the land and reflect on his mistakes.

Cole is taught survival techniques and guided through methods of meditation by two local Alaskan Tlingit elders. As Cole slowly starts the journey through his inner turmoil, he has a life-altering encounter with a mysterious and sacred white Spirit Bear.