‘This is all our family’: Nunavummiut rally to support Greenland, as Inuit leaders also speak up

Nunavummiut rallied on Saturday in Iqaluit to show their support for Greenland, as thousands of others did the same in Greenland and Denmark.

Around 70 people showed up to the event in Iqaluit, bracing against the freezing temperatures as they walked and carried signs proclaiming support for Greenland's sovereignty. It comes as U.S President Donald Trump continues his threats to take over the island.

“It’s important to make sure that all of our rights are safe. Because when we start to lose a grip of any right, that’s when it can all tumble down,” said Siku Rojas, one of the participants at the Iqaluit walk and rally. Rojas said that Inuit have a shared culture, and that they need to make sure they are protecting each other.

“We’re all Inuit, and this all our land, and this is all our family, and so it’s important to support each other,” said Rojas. The demonstration was meant to coincide with rallies in Greenland and Denmark over the weekend.

Trump is is threatening new tariffs against several European countries if they don't support American control of Greenland. The EU is set to hold an emergency summit this Thursday over his demands.

Aaju Peter, who organized the weekend rally in Iqaluit, said she wanted Greenlanders to know that they are supported in Iqaluit. “I was very pleased with the turnout … It was so nice to walk together with the people, and them all coming together,” she said. 

Laakkuluk Williamson, an Iqaluit resident with Greenlandic roots, also showed up at the demonstration.“It's all one homeland. It's important for us to show up for our homeland. And understand that this is part of an international situation, an international struggle,” she said.

Inuit leaders in Canada are also speaking up about Trump’s threats against Greenland. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed says that the Canadian government now needs to work quickly to secure Inuit Nunangat, the traditional homelands for Inuit in Canada. Obed says that could look like more investment in marine or aviation infrastructure.

"We want to be prepared to tell the rest of the world that no, we are a sovereign nation state, there’s a respect for a rule of law, there's a respect for Indigenous peoples' rights, and there is investment within this part of Canada,” he said.He said he also worries about Trump’s claims that Denmark is not investing in Greenland and that therefore the U.S. should acquire it. He says that other countries could potentially use the same argument for Inuit Nunangat. “I do worry about that case being made against Inuit Nunangat and Canada. So the best thing we can do to counter that is to invest in our homeland, to invest in our communities, to invest in our people.” Paul Irngaut, the acting president for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., says that Trump’s comments are disappointing, and that Inuit, and the entire circumpolar world, are not the enemy of the United States.

“We support the people of Greenland, and we just have to be there for them,” he said.

Nunavut Premier John Main has also voiced support for Greenland's autonomy. He said Nunavut has a lot in common with Greenland, from geography to culture, background and history. 

The Government of Nunavut has had a memorandum of understanding with Greenland since the 2000s that outlines their working relationship when it comes to fisheries, ports, education and culture. 

“They are our partners in terms of shared interests — and so looking at recent news regarding interest in Greenland, it’s deeply concerning,” Main said.