Elle Marja, 14, is a reindeer-breeding Sami girl. Exposed to the racism of the 1930s and phrenological examinations at her boarding school, she starts dreaming of another life. To achieve this other life she has to become someone else and break all ties with her family and culture.
Elle, 78, doesn't like Sámi people—even though she is Sámi. Pressured by her son, she returns north for her sister's funeral. When she realizes he's planned for them to stay with their relatives, Elle checks into a hotel.
Maj Doris follows the 74-year-old legendary Sámi woman Maj Doris Rimpi. Twenty years ago she had another kind of life. She traveled all around the world and she experienced a lot. Nowadays Maj Doris lives alone on a farm above the arctic circle in Sweden. She keeps reindeer but she’s also a sought-after artist, painter and actress.
