News

Working in the North, and particularly in Nunavik, means engaging with a unique environment shaped by specific social, cultural, and historical realities. Whether you work in health care, public safety, education, or other services—or are called upon to lead projects—it is essential to understand this context in order to collaborate effectively and build trust with Inuit communities. The online training program Histoire, culture et réalités contemporaines inuit, (12–15 hours) provides clear reference points to support daily practice:
When the Inuit go fishing for Arctic char on the frozen lake, they know when and where to cast their lines to get a bite, because for centuries, they have passed down fishing sites from generation to generation. But climate change could throw a wrench in their plans by altering the physical environment of the lakes and, therefore, the char's habitat...
In the face of stress, some people become anxious or even depressed, while others are resilient. Knowing the biological mechanisms underlying this resilience could lead to the discovery of new treatments for depression. This is the line of research pursued by Caroline Ménard, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at Université Laval and a researcher affiliated with the CERVO research center at CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale. She tracks markers of stress resilience in the brain, blood and even the intestines.
FROST is a transdisciplinary, community-embedded research initiative that brings together 16 natural scientists and social scientists from 6 Nordic countries to investigate how warming winters and changing snow cover affect Arctic lake ecosystems and the livelihoods of the communities that depend on them. Co-developed with Indigenous partners across Inuit Nunaat and Sápmi, FROST promotes equity, inclusivity, and the integration of place-based knowledge. The project compares twelve lakes across the circumpolar North, along gradients of ice and snow cover and seasonal variability.
From May 12 to 13, 2025, UQAM’s Cœur des sciences hosted the seventh edition of Institut nordique du Québec (INQ) Annual Symposium, formerly known as the INQ Northern Days. Centered on the theme of Health – Climate – Environment, the event brought together a dynamic and committed community of scientists, practitioners, Indigenous representatives, students, and Northern stakeholders.