Part 1, The Trance: Chapters 1 - 5 Summary

Dogsong is the story of a young Eskimo boy who learns the importance of tradition and honoring one's culture. Russel Susskit finds out the true meaning of the songs his elders once sang. Russel turns to Oogruk, an old shaman, for the answers his father cannot provide. Waking life and the dream time come together in Russel and he comes to understand how past, present, and future are connected.

Russel and his father spend the winter months in the government house and the summers in a fish-camp. Russel's father once explained that Jesus died for Russel's sins. Russel does not understand why his father loves Jesus. The pictures of Jesus are all cut from magazines sent to Russel's father by people Outside.

Oogruk the shaman is the only person in the village who owns a...