Summary

The Heroine of Wrangel Island tells the true story of Ada Blackjack, an Inuit woman who's just left an abusive relationship and is struggling to make ends meet while caring for her sick child. Ada's fortunes seem to change when she's offered a one-year contract as a seamstress by a group of explorers setting sail for Wrangel Island, a barren piece of land that serves as a breeding ground for polar bears. Temporarily leaving her son in the care of a local Methodist Mission, Ada joins the group as the sole female member of the expedition with hope she'll be able to afford her son's medical care upon her return. Shortly after arriving on the island, the expedition team discovers they're no match for its harsh weather and scarce food. With their return vessel not scheduled for months, three of the men trek across ice-covered sea toward Serbia in search of aid, leaving Ada alone with Errol, a violent man distraught over his inability to conquer the island. As the weeks go by, Ada and Errol are terrorized by a menacing polar bear desperate for its next catch. Making matters worse, Errol succumbs to a bad case of scurvy, leaving Ada to battle the elements and the polar bear on her own...