Crossword Genius

North American woman with Russian name apparently imprisoned? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

canadian

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'north american' is the definition.
(I know that Canadian is a type of north american)

'woman with russian name apparently imprisoned?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'woman' could be 'nadia' and 'nadia' is found in the answer.
'name' could be 'n' (common abbreviation e.g. on forms) and 'n' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ca' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for canadian that I've seen before include "Toronto native" , "One from Manitoba" , "Can Diana be this nationality?" , "Can Diana be a strange North American?" , "from place across the Pond" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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