Defibaugh, alongside a selective team of scientists, historians, and anthropologists, in collaboration with the National Science Foundation, Nikon Camera and a host of cultural organizations in Greenland, created a modern and multi-media ethnology of life above the Arctic Circle. Living among the Inuit, over 15 months in four progressively remote locations, Defibaugh was able to establish portrait studios and conduct middle school photo workshops with exhibitions of their work, providing a contemporary and interactive visual record of these endangered indigenous people. 

In this book group, Denis Defibaugh discusses, among other things:

Persistence in grant writing - (hint his third attempt was the charm)

The power of collaboration across auspices and professions 

The ability to communicate and form friendship without shared language

The value of embedding in a culture to provide a reflective cultural representation

The wonders of whale meat, reindeer and wolf fish

Santa’s Summer address

Referenced in the episode

North by Nuuk : Greenland After Kent

Polar Field

Uummannaq Polar Institute 

National Science Foundation

Asanninneq - Hans-Ole Amossen Jam 

Nanook - Ingerlaliinnaleqaagut

Music of additional interest:

DeBartali Crew that Hans Ole put together.

Uummannaq Childrens Home singers; traditional music.

Denis Defibaugh https://www.denisdefibaughgreenland.com/about-denis

Engage with J. Sybylla Smith  https://www.jsybyllasmith.com Instagram @jsybylla and Facebook @j.sybylla.smith