Greenland: In the icy fjords and remote settlements of Greenland, Inuit communities are sending a clear message to the world: their Arctic homeland is not a commodity to be bought, sold, or claimed it is shared and stewarded collectively. This stance, rooted in centuries-old cultural traditions, comes at a time when global powers are intensifying their focus on Greenland for its strategic location and untapped natural resources.
At the small settlement of Kapisillit, perched on the edge of a rugged fjord east of Nuuk, elders and community leaders emphasize that land is a trust to be respected rather than an asset to be owned. “We’ve always lived in harmony with nature,” said village head Heidi Lennert Nolso, describing a way of life centered on hunting, fishing, and seasonal cycles rather than extraction or ownership. Local resident Kaaleeraq Ringsted, 74, echoed the sentiment, noting that concepts of private land ownership are foreign to Indigenous practices and deeply misaligned with their community values.
The Inuit perspective is increasingly relevant as Greenland becomes a point of international interest. While Denmark retains legal sovereignty, global powers including the United States and members of the European Union have shown growing interest in Arctic access, navigation routes, and mineral wealth. Recent political discussions, especially in Washington, have framed Greenland as a strategic asset, prompting criticism from Indigenous leaders who argue that such narratives ignore centuries of Inuit stewardship and undermine the principle of self-determination.
Greenland’s Indigenous population, which includes Kalaallit, Tunumi, and Inughuit groups, makes up nearly 90% of the island’s roughly 57,000 residents. Over decades, these communities have sought greater autonomy over internal affairs, cultural preservation, and sustainable use of their resources. The Inuit insist that any external involvement in the region should center their voices, priorities, and traditional knowledge.
Despite a strong cultural identity, Greenlandic communities face ongoing pressures. Population decline, limited infrastructure, economic constraints, and urban migration threaten the continuity of small settlements like Kapisillit. In the local schoolyard, only a handful of children remain, a quiet reminder that the traditional Arctic lifestyle is under stress from modern socioeconomic changes.
Experts note that the Inuit worldview land as a shared trust presents a challenge to global powers seeking exclusive rights or control over Arctic territories. As the ice recedes due to climate change, new shipping routes, mineral deposits, and energy reserves are emerging, intensifying international competition. Yet Indigenous communities continue to insist that Arctic governance must respect local stewardship, cultural values, and communal rights.
For Greenlanders like Nolso and Ringsted, the Arctic is not a prize to be won but a homeland to be protected and shared. Their message emphasizes stewardship, community responsibility, and respect for centuries-old traditions. As global attention on the Arctic grows, the voices of Greenland’s Inuit serve as a reminder that true sovereignty lies not in possession, but in the careful and communal care of the land for generations to come.