Originally from France, he came to Canada and the Northwest Territories as an Oblate missionary in 1953.
A writer, filmmaker, and storyteller, he has, and continues to live his life among the Dene, eventually retiring in the town of Deline on Great Bear Lake.
He was also a prolific photographer, with over 10,000 photographs to his credit.
His published works include:
As Long as this Land Shall Last – The story of the Dene peoples struggle over land claims.
Denendeh: a Dene celebration – Published in 1984 to mark the 15th anniversary of the Dene Nation, it contains excerpts of Dene writing, together with a number of photographs taken by Father Fumoleau.
Here I Sit and The Secret – Both of which are books of poetry, and
Way Down North: Dene Life – Arranged to reflect the four seasons, this book features over 100 photographs taken between the early 1960's and early 1990's, celebrating the lives of the Dene people.
Father Fumoleau directed two films featuring Dene life:
I Was Born Here, and
Dene Nation
For more information regarding Father Fumoleau and his work, please click on any of the following links:
www.storysave.ca/Pages/Rene/Rene_Bio.html
oblatesinthewest.library.ualberta.ca/eng/media/f-3-oblatesjustice.html
www3.telus.net/public/kisa1/godsexplorers/interviews.html
pwnhc.learnnet.nt.ca/exhibits/fumoleau/index.asp