North of North is a television show that was created by Stacy Algok Macdonald and Althea Arnaquq-Baril.

The show is a Canadian comedy about Siaja Kudluk who is a young mom trying to figure out what to do with her life now that her daughter Bun is in school. Siaja is a community organizer but mostly does volunteer work. Now that her daughter is able to take care of herself a little more, Siaja, who settled down early with her high school boyfriend Ting, is feeling as though she wants to expand her capabilities more. Siaja decides to petition her boss Helen, a white woman that she works for, for a job.

Helen is super critical of everything and doesn’t think Siaja has the experience necessary but gives her a challenge to try and get community signatures for a petition. Siaja struggles to do so, as her husband Ting is leading a seal hunt and asks her to get involved.

She ends up going overboard during the hunt and seeing one of her ancestors. This sets Siaja on a journey of self-discovery, which includes leaving her husband and finding out who her real father is who has also just shown up back in her small community of Ice Cove.

The show is very Parks and Rec coded, with an emphasis on what real political work and community organizing looks like at the less glamorous levels as well as the disheartening part. Siaja and her people are often having to get money for simply basic things, like upgrading their community center and even funding for housing. When Siaja leaves her husband, she has to fill out a form for a waitlist that has over 353 people on it. And, and multiple points in the show, the community has to try and fundraise for money to get social programs.

It does a wonderful job of looking at Inuk culture, while at the same time showcasing the struggles of local government, particularly in smaller communities with less reach. Siaja’s story is particularly important as there is an uptick in young women getting married instead of going to college, and I think that storyline really gets into how your circumstances can change at any time and shows why it’s important to always have something for yourself should that happen.

The show does not shy away from discussing topics like the harmful residential school systems or the complexities of religion within Inuk culture. In a time when conservative content is on the rise, it is refreshing to see a show be so openly diverse and not shy away from conversations most would rather not have.

North of North has gotten a season 2 from Netflix and will be available sometime soon. For now, definitely check out this charming comedy’s first season and get into all of the Ice Cove fun.