The Kalaaliit have survived in the harsh conditions where no other people have managed to live. There are no trees, 80 % covered by ice, and it is dark most of the winter. It is a vulnerable culture, depending on the scarce resources of nature by their fishing, hunting and general survival skills.
Kalaallit Nunaat is the worlds largest island, 9 times the size of UK, but with only 57 000 inhabitants. The sea ice in the arctic and the land ice is melting because of the global warming. The response from the leading economic powers has not ben to stop the pollution that makes the sea ice starting to melt away. Instead, they have seen the emerging possibility to exploit the enormous potential of oil and mineral resources.
The Self-Government Act of 2009 forms Greenland’s constitutional framework. It explicitly recognises the Greenlandic people as a nation with the right to self-determination.
Military threats
USA have started a race to try to take Kalaaliit Nunaat, arguing that they need it for military purposes. The White House has threatened to take the country by military force. The vaste majority of the Kalaaliit have said a clear “No” to being a part of USA. Many of the European countries has reacted against this threat, supporting Kalaaliit Nunaat and Denmark in this situation by sending military units.
Demilitarisation of the Arctic is absolutely necessary to ensure the region remains a sone of peace and cooperation, rather than conflict and exploitation. Establishing a treaty like to that of Svalbard, prohibiting military activity among all Arctic nations, would foster collaboration in environmental protection and sustainable resource management.
This initiative would not only safeguard the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous communities, such as the Kalaaliit people, but also promote stability in a region increasingly threatened by geopolitical tensions and climate change. It is essential that global leaders prioritise diplomacy and environmental stewardship over selfish nationalism, conflict and militarisation in this fragile and vital area.
The US demands to build up their military presence and their threats against Kaaliit Nunaat and Denmark has jeopardised the stability in the region and in the whole world. The resulting arms race is not in the interest of the people and the environment in the arctic.
It has been a long, and mutually appreciated friendship between the USA and its American and European allies. Maybe it is time to realise that a friendship is over, when a bigger and stronger friend turns into a bully against his smaller friends ?