A Conversation with Mathieu Dumond

Arctic Stories Unfiltered: A Conversation with Mathieu Dumond (Wildlife Biologist and Filmmaker)

By Shivangi Mishra

In this podcast episode, I’m in conversation with Mathieu Dumond — a wildlife biologist and filmmaker based in Kugluktuk, Nunavut. Through his work with Umingmak Productions Inc., Mathieu has spent over 24 years living and working in the North, blending scientific research with powerful visual storytelling. Mathieu was also a participant in the Arctic Genomics project's 2024 Muskoxen and Genomics in the Community (MAGIC) workshop held in Cambridge Bay, contributing his perspectives to community-led conversations around Arctic research.

In this episode we talk about:

• Life in Kugluktuk and what daily life in the Arctic really looks like, shaped by weather, seasons, and close ties to the land
• The Arctic seasons—from long spring days and travel opportunities to winter darkness, summer mosquitoes, and vivid autumn colours
• Inuit culture, traditions, and the continued importance of hunting, fishing, and living off the land
• Learning from the land and from elders, and how Arctic landscapes can be a source of healing and resilience
• Traditional knowledge and scientific research as complementary ways of understanding rapid environmental change
• Common misconceptions about Arctic life, alongside the realities of modern living, isolation, and strong community bonds
• Observed environmental changes over the past two decades, including delayed freeze-up, thinner ice, and earlier snowmelt—and why the rate of change is the greatest challenge
• A message to Arctic youth on staying curious, informed, and empowered through knowledge

This conversation reflects how connections formed through the Arctic Genomics project continue beyond the project itself—through shared experiences, mutual respect, and a collective commitment to understanding and communicating the Arctic.