"As in many Native families, Lena Mahikan grew up in the cycle of abuse. Her father was an alcoholic until he killed himself when Lena was 10. Her mother, only 14 years her senior, was consumed by gambling. By the time Lena was 15 she was pregnant and, before giving birth, was kicked to the curb by her mom. For 13 years Lena has been living poverty stricken in Toronto, struggling to make ends meet, being chased by her own demons. The cycle continues and Lena is now watching helplessly as her own daughter, Peeka spirals out of control, landing herself in the ER following a drug overdose. As her final attempt at survival, Lena decides to return home and face her own mother and a past she's tried desperately to escape. Empire of Dirt tells the story of three generations of Mahikan women who are given a second chance to be a family and put an end to the painful legacy that has plagued them"--Container.