Balto II

(2001)

Mark's Character: Niju

Summary/review:
In Balto II: Wolf Quest, Balto's daughter, Aleu discovers her own wolf heritage and runs away to find out *who* she is. Along the way, guided by animal spirits, she meets Niju (nee-joo), the head of the resistance in a wolf pack. The caribou have left the area and if the pack doesn't leave, or if the pack doesn't steal food from other animal groups, they will starve. Niju wants to stay and steal: survival of the fittest, you know. Is he afraid? No, only that this is the only home he has ever known. The rest of the pack knows they must leave, but their leader, Nava, is too old and weak. Who will lead them? Perhaps Balto has come just in time. Someone must fulfill their destiny!
This will lead you into the beliefs and lore of the Alaskan people. As a family movie, you may have no problems with this, or you may want to use this as a teachable moment if the beliefs differ too much from your own.

**By the way, if I'm not mistaken, in the group number, The Grand Design, Niju has a large part in the typical mix of talking and singing of native music.**