The sun is rising over the ice-covered mountains of Nuuk fjord as we travel along one of the last wild frontiers in the world. However, shadows are gathering across the frozen spaces of Greenland, with Donald Trump soon to become president of the United States. His refusal to rule out taking Greenland by force is causing concern and sparking conversations across the island.
“We welcome him to visit, but that’s it,” says the skipper of the fishing boat as we head east. He emphasizes that Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. In the isolated settlement of Kapisillit, where hunters are setting out to shoot seals in the freezing temperatures, a local church elder expresses his desire to preserve his traditional way of life for future generations.
As we journey through the icy waters, meeting locals like Angutimmarik Hansen who is adamant that Greenland is not for sale, the threat of invasion looms in the background. Despite jokes about hunting rifles for defense, the sentiment among the Greenlanders is clear – they will not sell their land.
The arrival of Donald Trump Jr. in Nuuk and his brief visit only adds to the uncertainty and speculation. However, the people of Greenland are determined to assert their independence and negotiate directly with the United States for support. The debate about Greenland’s future has been propelled onto the international stage, with calls for self-determination and acknowledgment of past injustices.
As Greenland continues to navigate its relationship with Denmark and the United States, the focus remains on preserving their way of life, maintaining their living standards, and healing from the wounds of the past. The road to independence may be long and challenging, but the Greenlandic people are determined to shape their own future.