Nanoq
Bringing deep Indigenous insight and community-led conservation expertise, including pioneering humane polar bear conflict solutions for the Northeast Greenland subpopulation in Scoresbysund
The Nanoq Initiative
In Greenland’s remote Scoresbysund region, polar bears and people increasingly cross paths, leading to conflicts that threaten both human safety and bear populations. I collaborate closely with local hunters and experts to champion Indigenous-led, humane solutions that protect lives and honor traditions.
Our initiative focuses on creating a bear detention facility—a “bear jail” modeled after the successful approach in Churchill, Canada—that safely holds bears involved in conflicts until they can be released. This method reduces harm on both sides and fosters coexistence.
Beyond conflict management, we support veterinary care for sled dogs, recognizing their crucial role in community life, and fund research into the nutritional relationship between ringed seals and dog health. These efforts are grounded in respect for the ecosystem and the economic realities hunters face, ensuring solutions are both effective and sustainable.
This work exemplifies my broader mission: empowering Indigenous Greenlandic communities to lead conservation, cultural preservation, and sustainable development with dignity and resilience.