Sled Dogs, Survival, and Spirit: Preserving Greenland's Living Heritage with Manumina Lund Jensen
Description
In Greenland, sled dogs are not just animals - they are family, livelihood, and a way of life that has sustained human survival in the Arctic for thousands of years.
In this episode, I sit down with Manumina Lund Jensen, PhD researcher at the University of Greenland and cultural historian, whose work is dedicated to preserving the oral histories and living knowledge of Greenland’s sled dog culture.
Together, we explore:
* The deep ties between hunters, families, and their dogs in Greenlandic tradition
* How Inuit sled dogs once acted as *gateway animals*, enabling human migration into the Arctic
* The mythology of wolves as spiritual guides and their role in ecology
* The impact of climate change and urbanisation on sled dog culture
* How feeding and caring for dogs in a hunting culture differs from modern approaches
* Manumina’s own personal story of the first dog gifted to her by her father, and the song he wrote to honour her
This conversation invites us to see dogs as more than companions. They are cultural carriers, memory keepers, and lifelines that shape the way we live and imagine our place in the world.
To connect with Manumina:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/manumina-lund-jensen-5495891a/
https://uk.uni.gl/find-employee/department-of-cultural-social-history/manumina-lund-jensen/
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Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or replace medical guidance. Please speak with your veterinarian.
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