Explore two of the conflicts in the Hill family that cause tension among the members and how these conflicts lead to larger issues.

Family ties are strong in Kitamaat, especially with the long history of the Haisla people living in more of a tribal structure. Unlike in much of Westernized society, extended families stick together more and provide a support system for one another, as demonstrated by the way Lisa is constantly spending time with one of her aunts, uncles, or cousins. On one hand, when families are close-knit it can be more difficult for the children to get out of dysfunctional situations and unconscious patterns, as we see with Tab and her mother Trudy. Yet we are also shown how loving families are invaluable as a source of stability for their children. Though Lisamarie runs away from home for a time, she decides to return. Despite their faults, she can appreciate that her parents have always tried to provide her with love and resources—something that not everyone, such as Pooch, is lucky enough to have.

Lisamarie's temporary estrangement from her family more so comes from a place of confusion after the death of her grandmother. Ma-ma-oo was always telling Lisa family stories, stories that she could not hear from anyone else. After she dies, Lisa feels like she is cut from her own history and from the one person who would acknowledge their ancestral roots. Ultimately, we see how family is the center of everyone's lives, as even in times of poverty and tragedy, there is always the family to fall back on as a source of comfort and respite.