The North began for me as a small seed that grew with each visit, and on this trip I saw that same beginning in others. At some point, the north stops being an idea and becomes something you are part of.

This was my seventh trip up north, yet the feeling never fades. I looked forward experiencing the wide-open space of the North to bring me back clarity. As we boarded the plane, that familiar mix of excitement and focus settled in once again.

I had not been back to Chisasibi since residency. My first visit was as a senior resident, at a time when travel to the North was still limited by the pandemic. Yet despite the steep learning curve, that week became a catalyst in shaping my path as a physician learning to build projects with and for the community.

In the middle of all the busyness, a few moments stayed with me. Some came through interruptions I didn’t expect; others through the steady presence of people who help carry the work forward. Sharing these stories brought a quiet sense of purpose—and reminded me why the work matters.

And once more, we crossed that invisible line dividing North and South, back into the world we had left behind.

Mentorship, medicine & community—Alyse Diamond reflects on six weeks in Kuujjuaraapik, where true partnership goes beyond healthcare.

By the time I left the hotel room, I was depleted in every way. Then half an hour later, I was in a car driving toward a new life.