Nunavumut rallied in Iqaluit on Saturday to show support for Greenland, as did thousands of people in Greenland and Denmark.
About 70 people attended the event in Iqaluit, walking in the freezing cold and holding signs supporting Greenland’s sovereignty. It comes as US President Donald Trump continues to threaten to take over the island.
“It’s important to keep all our rights safe. Because when we start losing control of any right, all rights collapse,” said Siku Rojas, one of the participants in the Iqaluit walk and rally.
Rojas said the Inuit share a common culture and they need to make sure they protect each other.
“We’re all Inuit, this is all our land, this is all our family, so it’s important to support each other,” Rojas said.
The demonstration coincided with weekend rallies in Greenland and Denmark.
Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on several European countries if they do not support U.S. control of Greenland. The EU is due to hold an emergency summit on his demands on Thursday.
People attending the event in Iqaluit held signs and chanted slogans in support of Greenland’s autonomy. (Raphael Ferraz)
Aju Peter, who organized the weekend rally in Iqaluit, said she wants Greenlanders to know they have support in Iqaluit.
“I’m really pleased with the turnout…it’s great to walk with people and they all come together,” she said.
Laakkuluk Williamson, an Iqaluit resident of Greenlandic descent, also appeared at the demonstration.
“This is all one homeland. It’s important for us to stand up for our homeland. And understand that this is part of the international situation, the international struggle,” she said.
Inuit leader and Nunavut Prime Minister speak out
Canada’s Inuit leaders have also spoken out about Trump’s threats to Greenland.
Inuit Tapirit Kanatami President Natan Obed says the Canadian government now needs to act quickly to ensure the safety of Inuit Nunangat, the traditional homeland of Canada’s Inuit people. Obeid said this could look like more investment in maritime or aviation infrastructure.
“We want to be ready to tell the rest of the world, no, we are a sovereign nation-state that respects the rule of law, respects Aboriginal rights and is investing in this part of Canada,” he said.
He said he was also concerned about Trump’s claim that Denmark had no investment in Greenland and therefore the United States should acquire it. He said other countries might use the same argument against the Inuit Nunangat.
“I do worry about the cases against Inuit Nunangat and Canada. So the best thing we can do is invest in our homeland, invest in our communities, invest in our people.”
Paul Ingot, acting president of Nunavut Tungavik, said Trump’s comments were disappointing and that Inuit and the entire polar world are not enemies of the United States.
“We support the people of Greenland and we have to help them,” he said.
Nunavut Governor John Main also expressed support for Greenland’s autonomy. From geography to culture, background and history, Nunavut has a lot in common with Greenland, he said.
The government of Nunavut has had a memorandum of understanding with Greenland since the 2000s, outlining a working relationship in fisheries, ports, education and culture.
“They are our partners in terms of mutual interests, so looking at the recent news about Greenland’s interests is deeply concerning,” Main said.
