The Unfinished Journey Home

Barkskins

This flow traces several descendants’ departures and returns, showing how home becomes a changing relationship rather than a fixed place.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Kuntaw Leaves Penobscot Kuntaw Leaves Penobscot from "Barkskins". Kuntaw Leaves Penobscot Grief and Self-Blame Kuntaw leaves Beatrix’s house, burdened by his failure to preserve Mi’kmaw life for Tonny and their children.

Kuntaw Leaves Penobscot from "Barkskins". Kuntaw Leaves Penobscot Grief and Self-Blame Kuntaw leaves Beatrix’s house, burdened by his failure to preserve Mi’kmaw life for Tonny and their children.

Kuntaw Leaves Penobscot Grief and Self-Blame Kuntaw leaves Beatrix’s house, burdened by his failure to preserve Mi’kmaw life for Tonny and their children. A Northern Search He heads toward older lands, hoping to recover an identity he believes he has lost.

Jinot Goes Farther West Jinot Goes Farther West from "Barkskins". Jinot Goes Farther West Work as Escape Jinot travels between logging camps, unable to settle after repeated bereavement and his injuries.

Jinot Goes Farther West from "Barkskins". Jinot Goes Farther West Work as Escape Jinot travels between logging camps, unable to settle after repeated bereavement and his injuries.

Jinot Goes Farther West Work as Escape Jinot travels between logging camps, unable to settle after repeated bereavement and his injuries. A Distant Death His search for kin carries him to New Zealand, where he dies before he can return home.

Aaron’s First Departure Aaron’s First Departure from "Barkskins". Aaron’s First Departure An Unprepared Return Aaron goes to Mi’kmaw relatives but cannot adapt to their skills and expectations, then returns to Boston.

Aaron’s First Departure from "Barkskins". Aaron’s First Departure An Unprepared Return Aaron goes to Mi’kmaw relatives but cannot adapt to their skills and expectations, then returns to Boston.

Aaron’s First Departure An Unprepared Return Aaron goes to Mi’kmaw relatives but cannot adapt to their skills and expectations, then returns to Boston. A Different Education At sea, hard work and danger force him to reassess his isolation and self-interest.

A Second Return A Second Return from "Barkskins". A Second Return Witnessing Desolation Aaron returns to Nova Scotia and finds a village afflicted by hunger, sickness, and attacks on its people.

A Second Return from "Barkskins". A Second Return Witnessing Desolation Aaron returns to Nova Scotia and finds a village afflicted by hunger, sickness, and attacks on its people.

A Second Return Witnessing Desolation Aaron returns to Nova Scotia and finds a village afflicted by hunger, sickness, and attacks on its people. Choosing Responsibility He seeks food for the starving and then joins relatives working to rebuild communal life.

The Return of Sapatisia The Return of Sapatisia from "Barkskins". The Return of Sapatisia Seeking Family Sapatisia returns to Nova Scotia and reconnects with relatives while pursuing forest work and research.

The Return of Sapatisia from "Barkskins". The Return of Sapatisia Seeking Family Sapatisia returns to Nova Scotia and reconnects with relatives while pursuing forest work and research.

The Return of Sapatisia Seeking Family Sapatisia returns to Nova Scotia and reconnects with relatives while pursuing forest work and research. A New Home in Work She establishes a restoration project that makes the Cape a base for ecological knowledge and collective labor.

After Beatrix’s death

After Beatrix’s death and the Miramichi fire

After Jinot leaves for New Zealand

After Aaron’s voyage to England

After leaving university