Taking Action

If the group is having trouble generating their own ideas for next steps, these suggestions can help get things started:

Learn more about the history of Inuit communities in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) and their cultural and political relationships with Indigenous communities in the United States, especially the Inuit in Alaska and Arctic territories. Have the group reach out to Indigenous rights movements on the local, national, and international level and learn more about their priorities and how to become allies.

Indigenous peoples are often viewed as victims of climate change, but for almost 20 years, Indigenous communities around the world have been sounding the alarm and leading the charge to combat pollution, global warming, and environmental damage. Learn about the important leadership role Indigenous communities are taking on this critical issue and connect with local Indigenous groups to lend support.

In August 2019, then President Trump caused a stir when he confirmed the United States’ interest in “buying Greenland” from Denmark. Greenland’s foreign minister, Ane Lone Bagger, promptly responded: “We are open for business, but we’re not for sale.” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also responded, “Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland.” Although the president’s suggestion was met with consternation, the fact is that the United States has a long and complicated history with Greenland and its people, including several attempts to “purchase” it outright. Have the group explore the historical relationship between the two countries and learn about how their local and national representatives view current policies and initiatives related to Kalaallit Nunaat.

Resources

NUNATTA KATERSUGAASIVIA ALLAGAATEQARFIALU

GREENLAND NATIONAL MUSEUM AND ARCHIVEShttps://en.nka.gl/

The official website for the national museum and archives provides online access to the museum’s collections and exhibitions, as well as Greenland’s intangible cultural heritage.

INTERNATIONAL WORK GROUP FOR INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS: GREENLANDhttps://www.iwgia.org/en/greenland/3633-iw-2020-kalaallit-nunaat.html

A global human rights organization that promotes, protects, and defends indigenous communities by monitoring, documenting, and reporting on Indigenous peoples’ status and efforts to protect their rights.

CLIMATEGREENLANDhttp://climategreenland.gl/en/

The Government of Greenland’s website about climate change in Greenland with information and resources related to the effect of climate change on the country and its people and current initiatives to address the environmental impact.

ARCTIC COUNCILhttps://www.arctic-council.org/

The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic Indigenous peoples and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.

OCEANS NORTHhttps://www.oceansnorth.org/en/about/our-story/

A non-governmental organization that fosters science and community-based conservation in the Arctic and Atlantic regions of Canada, as well as western Greenland.

UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS: INDIGENOUS PEOPLEShttps://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) addresses Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peopleshttps://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf