Arctic Life: How ‘North of North’ Captures Real Inuit Culture

One of the hottest shows coming to Netflix this month is set in the coldest of places.

In the north lies the fictional Arctic town of Ice Cove, home to an engaging story about Siaja (Anna Lambe), a young Inuk mother who finds herself at a crossroads, leaving her husband Ting (Kelly William) behind. She’s on a journey to redefine herself, taking up the role as an events organizer for their community center, planning activities ranging from elder gatherings to the unconventional “walrus dick baseball.” Over the course of eight episodes, Siaja is working diligently to convince the town to host a new research center. During this time, she develops a friendship with one of the young researchers, Kuuk (Braeden Clarke), who shares her passion for chess and sparks an inevitable romantic connection.

The production of the show took place in the Arctic region, which is where the indigenous co-creators Stacey Aglok-MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril reside. It’s part of a current wave of comedy series depicting the lives of native individuals set in contemporary times, like “Reservation Dogs” and “Rutherford Falls”.

In a conversation with the creators of “North of North”, TIME explored some of the standout scenes, life in such a northerly location, and the unique aspects that set this series apart when compared to previous television productions and films focusing on Indigenous communities.

How would you complete this sentence? You know you’re filming in the Arctic when…

Arnaquq-Baril: …when you get shut down by a blizzard for two days!

Aglok-MacDonald: …when you’re in the middle of a meeting and the power goes out for two hours!

Gosh, it appears that in this series, there’s quite a bit of outdoor festivities. Yet, considering the cold weather, isn’t it chilly outside? Why don’t they gather indoors instead for warmth and companionship?

From around April or May (depending on location), through until approximately September, this is the period when everyone eagerly spends as much time outdoors as they can manage. It’s common to spot children playing even as late as midnight during the summer months.

In many smaller communities, you won’t find bars, but gathering around an outdoor fire can still provide a lively and enjoyable social experience.

In this case, the bonfires require significant work as there’s no ready-made driftwood available. Instead, people are gathering discarded wooden materials, such as pieces from construction sites and dismantled shipping pallets, to serve as fuel for their fires.

In the series, the characters embark on an unforgettable journey to meet someone for a romantic encounter at the airport. Is this plot element derived from your own life experiences?

Aglok-MacDonald: We used to head to the airport accompanied by a group of friends, eagerly anticipating who among the town visitors would be attractive. Whenever there were high school sports events or significant conferences that attracted many people, this was our routine. Everyone was on the lookout for their potential weekend companion. By the end of the weekend, several friendships had developed, often marked by a number of hickeys. For me, being a bit of a bookworm, it was more about observing and flirting.

On our program, one of our authors, Moriah Sallaffie, who hails from Alaska and is Inuk, found her spouse at an Inuit Circumpolar Council meeting. It’s not uncommon for cross-border romances to blossom in such settings.

Have you ever encountered someone who attempted to behave as a sled-dog musher during intimate moments, similar to the character in the series who tried to make Siaja perform canine-like actions in bed?

Stacey didn’t create me; instead, there exists a genuine phenomenon where people develop an affection for the Arctic, idealize it, and strive to emulate the Inuit way of life excessively. This character you see is merely a figment of Stacey’s imagination.

Aglok-MacDonald refrains from making any statements. Interestingly, many mushers who settle in our communities often hail from Quebec or France. It’s common to find them in relationships with Inuit women, be it for marriage or casual flings.

What is the significance of walrus dick baseball played in the show?

I’ve always loved the game we call Arnaqqu-Baril, a sport deeply rooted in our upbringing. It varies slightly from one community to another, reflecting the unique cultures across regions. The version depicted on the show is specific to Alaska, where I hail from, and holds a special place in my heart.

Once more, since we lack the necessary wood, you’ll require something to strike those objects with. The walrus tusk serves as an interesting natural resource, and the Inuit have effectively utilized it. Simply put, they know how to make good use of it.

In our culture, the walrus is considered a source of food, and we honor this tradition by making sure no part of an animal we hunt is wasted. Therefore, we won’t let a good walrus tusk go unused.

Why doesn’t the show have a happy romantic ending?

In Aglok-MacDonald’s narrative, they aimed for a subtle mix of sweetness and sadness. Considering Siaja’s recent breakup with Ting, which happened just three months ago, we wanted to provide her ample room to explore herself and her desires.

In our storyline, it seems more fitting for Siaja not to jump straight into a joyful romance with someone like Kuuk, as she requires some personal time to sort through certain aspects of her life first. There’s a wealth of complexities involved, and we’re eager to explore these intricacies throughout what we hope will be several captivating seasons ahead.

How do you see your show as different from other shows or movies with Indigenous characters?

Many people incorrectly perceive us as vanishing cultures, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Consequently, numerous Indigenous filmmakers are opting for humor in their work. Most portrayals of us have been created by others, and we are now breaking free from such traditions.

What myths or misconceptions do you hope to debunk or set the record straight on with this series?

Aglock-MacDonald: This isn’t a frigid and barren region. Instead, it’s vibrant, warm, and full of affection. Our communities are stunning. We don’t merely exist; we flourish and relish life in the Arctic.

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2025-04-10 16:06