Perspectives on Colonialism in Greenland

Abstract

How do Greenlanders experience colonialism today? How can Greenland decolonise? Do Inughuit (Greenlanders from Avanersuaq, or the far northwest of Greenland) experience colonialism differently? How did the Reconciliation Commission contribute to decolonisation in Greenland? How do Greenlanders’ opinions influence decisions about resource activities? These are some of the questions asked by Martin Binachon, Rachael Lorna Johnstone and Jonathan Wood during their fieldwork in Greenland in October and November 2021. The three University of Akureyri researchers interviewed 18 Greenlanders and held around 20 informal discussions. They also attended the Nuuk Nordisk Festival & Reflecting Nuuk Nordic side-event. Rachael gave a keynote presentation at Greenland Science Week where she discussed decolonisation of research and education in Greenland and took part in a panel discussion “Making Science Matter: but How?” Martin was also interviewed by the local radio in Qaanaaq where he discussed his research findings.

Keywords

• colonisation
• fieldwork
• greenland
• research