A
New Zealand novel written by the author Witi Ihimaera, which is a Maori. It also became a film. Basically, its the story of a Maori girl named Kahu who is destend to be The Whale Rider. (
see Whale Rider). But Koro Apirana, her grandad wont let her, and is always trying to put her down because she's a woman, and he believes men are superior. So eventually Rawiri, the token
dope smoking maori, teaches her to use the Tiaha (maori
stick weapon) and to become a leader. Eventually Kahu gets strong enough, a bunch of whales get stranded, Kahu starts riding one and it flaps around then off into the sea it swims. Koro goes out on a
boat to find her, where Kahu uses the whale to smash up his boat and the whale feroshusly eats him. So then Kahu became the LEADER! - of a small town with like 40 people, yea big
wow, then they go claim some land.