[4][5] According to Grace, they sought to show "a cross-section of Northerners, each doing different things directly connected to the land and culture".
The shoot was expensive due to the remote locations, availability of local film crews, and effects of the climate on equipment and schedules.
[8] Writing for The Toronto Star, David Korb felt the series provided "fascinating insight" into how people live in Canada's north.
[6] Chris Lackner of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote that the series provided "a candid look at inspiring lives".
She felt that the series was overdue, and provided an optimistic view to balance news coverage which focused on social problems such as alcoholism, suicide, and housing shortages.