Trump’s Greenland Threats Open Old Wounds for Inuit Across Arctic
In the frigid Canadian Arctic, a recent protest of around 70 individuals captured the attention of the world. Despite the biting winds, they marched through the Inuit-governed territory of Nunavut, brandishing signs that read, "We stand with Greenland" and "Greenland is a partner, not a purchase."
This event symbolized a broader reckoning for Indigenous peoples across the Arctic, where the Greenland dispute has become a pivotal moment, challenging their long-fought battles for rights against a global power play. Donald Trump's interest in Greenland, reminiscent of centuries of imperialism and colonization, has sparked concern among the Inuit.
Natan Obed, the president of Canada's Inuit organization, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, highlighted the historical context, stating, "Inuit have endured the struggle to maintain our society, culture, and self-determination while others have differing aspirations for our lands and territories."
The overtures from the United States, with its chorus of officials echoing similar sentiments, have raised fears of a return to disrespect for Indigenous rights. The focus on Greenland's mineral wealth and defense positions has particularly alarmed the Inuit.
Obed emphasized, "The rhetoric surrounding Greenland's resources and defense capabilities is deeply unsettling. We believed we had moved beyond the era of colonialist assumptions that Indigenous self-determination hinges on land improvement according to imperialist standards. The decisions regarding our land and its future are solely ours."
Despite Trump's pledge not to acquire Greenland by force, the White House has indicated a continued desire for control. Jeff Landry, the US special envoy to Greenland, wrote an op-ed in the New York Times, describing Greenland as a strategically crucial region, with the president emphasizing American dominance in the Arctic as non-negotiable.
In Greenland, residents view Trump's statements about "buying" or "taking over" as a regression to a time when Indigenous lands were commodified, marginalizing Inuit from political negotiations that shape their lives.
Sara Olsvig, chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council and a former leader of the left-wing pro-independence party Inuit Ataqatigiit, expressed concern, stating, "The Arctic is portrayed as an asset or an empty ice desert in the heightened tensions between great powers. For us, it is our homeland, and its riches sustain our people, culture, children, youth, and elders. Inuit have thrived in this region for millennia, long before the concept of states."
The push for power has exposed the failure to recognize Greenland's status as a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark after centuries of Danish rule. Olsvig stated, "Greenland is not owned by Denmark, and Denmark cannot sell it."
The recent months have been marked by colonialist overtones, prompting Olsvig and others to emphasize the equality of Inuit and Greenlandic people.
"Avoiding the mistakes of past imperialism is crucial," she said, adding, "There is no such thing as a better colonizer."
As Trump's rhetoric intensified, Inuit in Alaska closely monitored the situation. Marie Greene, president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council - Alaska, expressed disbelief, then heartbreak, as she heard about her people, especially children and elders, fearing invasion.
Vivian Korthuis, also from the Inuit Circumpolar Council - Alaska, emphasized the Inuit's commitment to peace in the Arctic, stating, "For Inuit, peace is about protecting our homelands, families, and the future of our children."
The conversation around Greenland has underscored the unique vulnerability of Indigenous peoples to geopolitical shifts, as noted by Gunn-Britt Retter of the Saami Council, an organization representing the Sámi peoples of Finland, Russia, Norway, and Sweden.
Retter observed, "When geopolitics intensifies, state leaders often forget Indigenous peoples. There's always a more pressing issue. It's like, 'Yes, we value Indigenous peoples, but right now, this is more critical.'"
Retter suggested that Indigenous rights are often considered in good times but overridden when strategic interests, such as tariff threats, arise. She added, "Indigenous issues become a topic of discussion when there are budget surpluses."
For many in the Arctic, the threats to Greenland are seen as a harbinger of future challenges, as Obed of Canada's Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami noted, "We recognize that we are increasingly at the center of a geopolitical struggle, not necessarily about our culture or society, but in our homeland, in our backyards."
He cited the substantial investments by Russia and China in ports around the Russian Arctic and the ongoing efforts to claim the Northwest Passage as examples of the impending fights.
Obed concluded, "We are aware that these battles are coming. Therefore, this is the moment to forge alliances, strategies, and plans to ensure we are prepared when they arrive."
