b'TELEVISIONThat kind of specificity also serves as a strategic element. By focusing on what sparks joy and truly reflects the daily nuances of Inuit life, North of North chal-lenges mainstream expectations about what Indigenous stories are supposed to look like. Arnaquq-Baril and MacDonald arent just reclaiming the frametheyre rebuilding it from the ground up, bead by bead and laugh by laugh.Shot on location in Nunavut, North of North showcases regional dialects, local actorsThe main cast of Acting Good.and scenes that deeply resonate with those whove lived them. I want people to hear our language and feel at home, Arnaquq- And as that generation rises, Indigenousmore about his life and having to make Baril says. Even if youre watching fromwomen are already laying the groundworkdecisions for his future.somewhere far away. The showrunner wasacross genres and platforms.Indigenous, half the writers were Inuit,She adds that humour is fundamental and women of colour directed develop- to the stories of our characters and the ment. It matters whos in the room, saysSHIFTING THE FRAME community. It is the joy of being from a MacDonald, because if its not us, theTina Keeper, a Cree actor and producer,northern, remote Anishinaabe community story changes. brings decades of experience to her rolewith a few Inninuak thrown in to the mix as executive producer of Acting Good. Bestthat we aim to portray.For MacDonald, its also about the far- known for her groundbreaking work on reaching effects that visibility can have.both sides of the camera, Keeper seesAs the first Indigenous comedy on a When a young Inuk sees herself onIndigenous television as an extensionmainstream broadcaster, and CTVs screen, it changes what she believes isof traditional storytelling. Acting Goodnumber-one show during its first three possible, she says. Thats the kind ofuses a form of storytelling which is notseasons, Acting Good is helping shift the power stories have. The hope is that thiscompletely based in realism, she says.mainstream paradigm. This reflects great visibility inspires not only future actors,[Its] more in line with the storytellingaudience appreciation, says Keeper, and writers and directors, but also youthtradition in Anishinaabe, Inninuak andI hope it means that we can continue to across Inuit communities to see their livedAnishinninu cultures. see our works flourish on any broadcaster, experiences as worthy of being celebratedin comedy or dramatic form.and reflected back with honesty and joy.Acting Good, which follows a man returning Its a show made for everyone, but playsto his fly-in community in northernINDIGENOUS WOMEN ON THEIR an important role in uplifting Inuit youthManitoba, uses satirical humour to exploreOWN TERMSto see themselves and their own languageshomecoming and identity. Paul actsFrom Inuktitut cable channels to global with truth by denying the pan-Indigenousdisgruntled but is really happy to comeNetflix premieres, Indigenous women lens that has historically oppressedhome, Keeper explains. In seasons 2have made the move from asking for space Indigenous storytelling on-screen. and 3, we see Paul having to start thinkingto making it for themselves, with the entire world bearing witness.Theres something deeply powerful about being seen in countries around the world, in your own language, says Arnaquq-Baril. When you come from a culture colonizers Nishnawbe Aski Policetried to erase, being seen means some-Service is now hiring! thing. Its not about attentionits about Please visit joinnaps.ca foraffirmation. It tells our youth, our Elders, our communities: you matter. Your stories more information on: belong here. Qualifications Weve spent so long being portrayedSalary & Benefits by others. North of North is us nowCandidate Preparation List saying you dont get to define us anymore. Were doing that ourselves, MacDonald concludes. That shift is what unites every woman in this story. Whether its through Contact Sgt. Cory Oleschuk, Uniform Recruitment for more information: satire, language, fashion or community, Contact Sgt. Cory Oleschuk, Uniform Recruitment for more information: Indigenous women are taking the lead in 1-800-654-6277 ext. 6593Cory.Oleschuk.naps.ca how theyre seenand more importantly, 1-800-654-6277 ext. 6593Cory.Oleschuk.naps.ca in how we see ourselves. 14 Spring/Summer 2025'