North of North in its inaugural season, is an authentic representation of Inuk peoples in northern Canada. The eight-episode season, written and produced by Inuit creators, features a predominately Indigenous cast and the beautiful landscape of Iqaluit, Nunavut.
The show follows Siaja, a self-described “modern Inuk women,” in the fictional town of Ice Cove, Nunavut as she learns who she is outside of being a wife to Ting, and a mother to seven-year-old Bun. Viewers watch as Siaja navigates societies expectations and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
A celebration of Inuk culture, the show incorporates a blend of Inukitut music and mainstream hits, including covers of “Yaimangalimaaq” (Time After Time) by Cyndi Lauper and “Ikiaqqik” (Levitating) by Dua Lipa, attracting people of all ages to the comedy.
The show uses humour to explore common tropes like the “white saviour complex,” through characters like Helen, the towns community centre manager. Helen is a southerner that has lived in Ice Cove for over 23 years, but is still ignorant, clueless and culturally insensitive. When multiple residents of Ice Cove call about stopping the use of salt on walkways Helen gets annoyed. Not understanding that the salt ruins kamiik’s (seal skin boots) she complains to Siaja who is a voice of reason. Helen responds by saying “thanks for sharing your traditional knowledge” and quickly moves on from the topic.
Helen is a physical symbol of the historical relationship between white Canadians and Inuk peoples. Siaja acknowledges this divide in the final episode of the series by saying, “For too long, people have been coming to the Arctic to try and change us, but I’m asking you to let this place change you.”
The show also touches on sensitive themes of residential schools, addiction and the sixties scoop in a way that is considerate and genuine. Watchers are introduced to Neevee, Siaja’s mother, who tends keeps people at arms length. When Siaja’s father, Alistair, comes back into the picture sparks fly between the two until he asks about the circumstances of her birth. In a panic Neevee sabotages their relationship and pushes him away. Later it is discovered that Neevee had a child before Siaja who was taken from her by the child’s father, a white man who visited Ice Cove briefly before leaving with her daughter and never coming back.
This co-production by CBC, APTN and Netflix depicts the wondrous and challenging place that is northern Canada and the beauty that is found there.
A refreshing take on life in the arctic circle, North of North is a raw depiction of cultural reclamation. By centring Inuit voices in their own landscape, it captures the beautiful, messy and deeply human reality in Nunavut today.