QIMMEQ - THE GREENLAND SLED DOG

QIMMEQ is a new research project about the sled dog culture and the origin and genetic history of the sled dog. Read more about Qimmeq

Five Fabulous Films 

The QIMMEQ project has produced five films which communicate the thoughts young and old Greenlandic mushers have about the future of the dog sled culture. Several of the films have been officially selected by prestigious film festivals like the International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) in Montana, USA.

See the films

The Hunter - Piniartoq

Far up the Greenland East coast a young aspiring hunter, 23 year-old Martin Madsen still uses his sled dogs for hunting seals and polar bears as they have always done in his family. But times are changing in Greenland and the sled dogs are slowly dying out. From his remote village Ittoqqortoormiit, Martin asks himself what the future holds for him and his sled dogs.

'The Hunter' is part of a documentary series exploring the Inuit identity and the future of the Arctic’s largest remaining sled dog population in Greenland. See the film The Hunter – Piniartoq

The Race - Sukkaniunneq

On the West coast of Greenland, a young boy dreams of winning the National championship of dog sledding. An ancient form of transportation turned in to a highly competitive sport that joins an awaking nation.

'The Race' is the story of a 13 year-old boy called Nick, who's stepping into the sport of dog sledding for the very first time. His story is joined by 72 year-old race legend Ville Siegstad, whose life has inspired many young sled dog mushers.

'The Race' is part of the documentary series 'When the dogs are gone' that takes us on a reflective journey far North, to experience the value of sled dogs directly from those whose cultural identity is at risk. The series consists of five portraits across Greenland, that unveil the significance of this unique relationship and give voice to a conversation about the future of the Arctic’s largest remaining sled dog population. See the film The Race – Sukkaniunneq

The Traveller – Angalatooq

A man that has driven more than 20,000km on a dog sled to connect the shared cultural heritage with Inuit communities in Canada and Alaska, now reflects on the future of the Greenlandic sled dog from his home in Nuuk.

'The Traveller' is the memoirs of Ono Fleischer, a legendary Greenlandic sled dog musher who between 1992-2006 drove a number of large expeditions to Canada and Alaska in order to connect the shared Inuit heritage. See the film The Traveller – Angalatooq

What we cherish in our culture - Eriagisagut

The first Greenlander to join the elite military unit of the Sirius Patrol, is forced on a rescue mission that changes his life forever. Looking back, he has endless respect to the dogs and their importance for your survival.

'What we cherish in our culture' is the story of the first Greenlander who joined the elite military unit - the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol. An elite unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance patrolling, and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness of northern and eastern Greenland. See the film What we cherish in our culture – Eriagisagut

Passing it on - Ingerlatitseqqiineq

In the town of Sisimiut, a woman named Johanne one day decided to quit her 9-5 job to spend more time with her sled dogs. Today she's one of the few female full-time hunters in Greenland, who lives from reindeer hunting and tourism. Johanne wish for her grandchildren to share her path, but times are changing in Sisimiut and the sled dogs now live at the edge of town.

'Passing it on' is part of a documentary series exploring the Inuit identity and the future of the Arctic’s largest remaining sled dog population in Greenland. See the film Passing it on – Ingerlatitseqqiineq