Greenland’s Inuit Resist Notion of Ownership as U.S. Interest Rekindles Debate
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The concept of owning land is fundamentally foreign to the Inuit people of Greenland, even as former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly considered purchasing the island nation and its vast resources. For centuries, the Inuit have maintained a collective relationship with the land, a tradition enshrined in their laws and deeply woven into their cultural identity.
The debate over Greenland’s future resurfaced last year when Trump revived his interest in acquiring the strategically located island, citing national security concerns and access to mineral wealth. While he later backed away from overt threats of force, claiming a deal with NATO secured U.S. access, the discussion ignited a profound disconnect between Western notions of ownership and the Inuit worldview.
A Collective Heritage
In the tiny settlement of Kapisillit, clinging to the shore of a fjord east of the capital, Nuuk, the idea of individual land ownership is met with bewilderment. “We can’t even buy our own land ourselves, but Trump wants to buy it – that’s so strange to us,” said Kaaleeraq Ringsted, 74, a lifelong resident and now the village catechist. He explained that, historically, residents have only ever “rented” land, reinforcing the idea of collective stewardship.
This concept isn’t merely tradition; it’s legally codified. Individuals can own homes, but not the ground they stand on. This system reflects a 300-year resistance to colonization and a commitment to shared responsibility for the land.
Life in Kapisillit: A Struggle for Survival
Kapisillit embodies the challenges and resilience of Greenlandic life. The remote village, accessible only by boat and a steep wooden staircase, boasts a small school, grocery store, and a basic medical facility. The pier serves as a vital lifeline, bringing supplies from Nuuk and supporting the traditional livelihoods of fishing and hunting.
“We’ve always had a free life here in nature,” said Heidi Lennert Nolso, the village leader. “We can sail and go anywhere without restrictions.” However, this freedom is increasingly threatened by dwindling populations and a lack of infrastructure.
Guardians, Not Owners
The Inuit view themselves not as owners, but as temporary guardians of the land. Rakel Kristiansen, a shamanic practitioner, articulated this perspective: “In our understanding, owning land is the wrong question. The question should be who is responsible for the land. The land existed before us, and it will exist after us.”
This philosophy contrasts sharply with the Western concept of property rights, which underpins Trump’s expressed interest in Greenland. Ulrik Blidorf, a lawyer specializing in Inuit law, confirmed that Greenland, as an autonomous Danish territory, does not recognize private freehold ownership of land. “In Greenland, you can’t own the land,” he stated. “It’s been like that ever since our ancestors came here.”
A Village in Decline
The focus in Kapisillit remains firmly on survival. But the village is facing an existential crisis. The population has plummeted from nearly 500 to just 37 residents. The school is on the verge of closing, with only three students – William, 8, Malerak, 7, and Viola, 7 – remaining, all of whom are preparing to leave.
New holiday homes, built for wealthy Nuuk residents, stand empty during the harsh winter months, a stark symbol of the village’s changing fortunes. While the stunning scenery holds potential for tourism, the lack of basic infrastructure hinders development. “There’s a risk the settlement could die,” Nolso warned. “People are getting old.”
Despite the challenges, a deep connection to the land persists. Kristiane Josefsen, born in 1959, continues to work with sealskins, crafting materials for traditional costumes. “I’m staying here. I belong here,” she declared. “This is my land. Greenland is my land.”
The future of Kapisillit, and indeed of Greenland, hangs in the balance, caught between the allure of external interest and the enduring strength of a culture rooted in collective stewardship and a profound respect for the land.
