By Sarah Osman

Given the current state of the world, we need more shows that not only entertain, but reflect the importance of community. And, if those programs accurately portray a close-knit group of people that has been misrepresented, all the better.

Joy-Anna Lambe as Siaja in North of North. Photo: Jasper Savage

Even when they try to be biting, Canadian sitcoms can’t help but be nice. Shows like Schitt’s Creek and Kim’s Convenience are reassuring comfort shows; watching them makes you feel as if you’ve just settled under a blanket with a piping hot cup of tea. They’re reflective of the kindness of Canadian culture — and, the country’s citizens are just so darn endearing. Though the current tariff-crazed American administration’s talk about turning Canada into the 51st state is inspiring some understandably impolite pushback.

Netflix just dropped another charming Canadian sitcom, this one set all the way up north in a tiny Arctic village. North of North (aptly titled) follows the trials and tribulations of Siaja (Joy-Anna Lambe), a young Inuk mother who decides to reinvent herself after a public breakup with her husband, Ting (Kelly William). Siaja moves back in with her street-smart mom, Neevee (Maika Harper), who has no problem throwing shade at her daughter. She finds a job as the assistant to the uptight Helen (Mary Lynn Rajskub). Our heroine insists she’s a strong, modern, Inuk woman, but Siaja is far from perfect. She accidentally sets fire to the local dump, and triggers havoc at Elders Night (by bringing kids and a slushie machine, much to the seniors’ delight). The truth is that Siaja is an awkward, sincere, and proud mama with a  great fashion sense, which makes her one of my favorite TV series protagonists in quite a while. Hurray for “strong” female characters — whose only flaw is that they aren’t as strong as they think.

The tiny town Siaja lives in is full of oddball characters. There’s Jeffrey (Vincent Karetak), the owner of the local dump, who’s perpetually out of it; her coworkers Millie (Zorga Qaunaq) and Colin (Bailey Poching), who resignedly go along with Siaja’s scattershot ideas; dreamy Kuuk (Braeden Clark), Siaja’s love interest, and, of course, Helen, who turns out to be far more manic than she initially appears. Siaja’s interactions with her fellow citizens brought to mind Leslie Knope and the townspeople of Pawnee in Parks and Recreation and the town of Schitt’s Creek. Much of the fun of North of North is generated by the various antics everyone gets into, especially when the entire town comes together (my favorite moment is for a game of unorthodox baseball, aka, “walrus dick ball.”)

Of course, what makes North of North different from its Canadian counterparts is the series’ focus on Inuit life. Filmed in Iqaluit, Nunavut, the Northernmost territory of Canada, this is the first series to be made in the area and the first to focus on Inuit culture. Characters speak Inuktitut, hunt in traditional ways, and take part in venerable Inuit ceremonies. The community center — where Siaja works –is where most of the action concerning the town takes place, and that setup is true of the real-life Iqaluit; everything from weddings to funerals take place in common areas. Even the fashion choices nod to Inuit culture, from Siaja’s earrings to her mother’s tattoos. The most authentically Canadian part of the series: the sequences that were filmed at the Iqaluit curling rink, which was transformed into a soundstage.

Also admirable, the Iqaluit in the area came together to help film their experiences. Locals were part of the cast and crew; they also assisted with logistics, such as driving “the creatives” from point A to point B. Even if North of North isn’t renewed for a second season, the support that came from the production boosted the local economy while it brought welcome attention to Inuit culture.

Given the current state of the world, we need more shows that not only entertain, but reflect the importance of community. And, if those programs accurately portray a close-knit group of people that has been misrepresented, all the better.

Sarah Mina Osman is based in Los Angeles. In addition to the Arts Fuse, her writing can be found in Huffington Post, Success Magazine, Matador Network, HelloGiggles, Business Insider, and WatchMojo. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is working on her first novel. She has a deep appreciation for sloths and tacos. You can keep up with her on Instagram @SarahMinaOsman and at Bluesky @sarahminaosman.bsky.social.