Podcast revives North of 60, exploring legacy and lasting relevance

What began as a nostalgic rewatch among friends has transformed into an engaging new podcast. Lynx River Revisited, launched on Dec. 2 , 2025, dives deep into the iconic 1990s television series North of 60, exploring its legacy, cultural accuracy, and enduring relevance. Hosted by Melaw Nakehk’o, a Moosehide tanner, artist, and filmmaker and Brie O’Keefe, a musician and Indigenous self-governance, policy and conservation consultant, the show offers a unique perspective. Both hosts grew up in the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories, the very area that inspired the fictional community of Lynx River. Nakehk’o, a member of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation (LKFN), shares a remarkable personal connection to the series. Her father, Jim Antoine, served as longtime chief of LKFN. “He had a band manager from southern B.C. who, after witnessing everyday life in the band office and community, said, ‘This would make a really good TV show,’” Nakehk’o explains. “That person eventually pitched the idea to producers.” She recalls the show’s early impact. “When production began, I was young, and writers would visit my dad. We’d have cookouts. Later, actor Tom Jackson would fly up to shadow my dad as part of his character study.” O’Keefe, who also grew up in Fort Simpson from age eight to 12, believes their distinct perspectives foster necessary dialogue. “We’ve been able to have serious conversations about issues that settlers and Indigenous people don’t often discuss publicly anymore,” she says. “These aren’t just lip service to reconciliation, they’re real, hard conversations that matter.” North of 60, which aired on CBC from 1992 to 1997, included 90 episodes and five television movies. After a resurgence on APTN in 2018, it remains a critically acclaimed portrait of everyday life in a First Nations community, a representation particularly rare in mainstream media at the time. Filled with “a lot of joy and laughter,” the podcast also introduces a fun segment called the “Northern Reflections Sweater of the Episode,” celebrating the show’s iconic fashion. Yet the hosts don’t shy away from heavier themes, often struck by how contemporary the issues feel. “The topics they’re talking about in that show are still challenging Indigenous communities today,” says O’Keefe. “You wouldn’t realize 30 years have passed.” To enrich discussions, Nakehk’o and O’Keefe invite experts on relevant subjects, like a Métis midwife to discuss traditions of community birth and the movement to support Indigenous birth work. More than a look back, Lynx River Revisited is an evolving conversation that bridges past, present, and future. The hosts plan to include fan and actor anecdotes and hope to record episodes in Fort Simpson, using local facilities to welcome community guests. “The dream is to build a space for the huge audience who still love this show but have nowhere to share that passion,” says O’Keefe. “We want to find all the North of 60 lovers out there and see what kind of community we can build together.” The podcast is produced with in-kind support from Cabin Radio and Sundog Adventures and financial support from the NWT Arts Council. Listen to Lynx River Revisited at www.lynxriverpod.com. New episodes drop every Tuesday, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Continue Reading