Since taking office in January of 2025, President Trump has revived his interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, sparking major international controversy, which has strained relationships with European allies and raised questions about territorial sovereignty in the 21st century. Greenland is Earth’s largest island, extending its reach to cover 800,000 square miles, though 80% of the island is ice. The island is home to over 57,000 Greenlanders, a majority who identify as the native Inuit people of Kalallit. The Kalallit have called Greenland home for over 1,000 years, developing their own language, customs, and traditions.
For Greenland’s indigenous population, Trump’s proposal is reminiscent of the centuries of colonialism Greenland faced from Denmark. The Kalallit are no strangers to Danish colonial rule, from forced relocations in the 1950s and 1960s to cultural assimilation lasting centuries on end. In 2009, after centuries of struggle, Greenlanders successfully achieved self-government, which recognizes them as “ a people pursuant to international law with the right of self-determination.” Self-determination, in this context, refers to the creation of an independent government and political system, centered around advancing Greenland’s own economy and people. The response from Greenland’s citizens is overwhelmingly evident. Polls show 85% of Greenlanders reject becoming part of the United States. Across the island, residents have rallied around the slogan “Greenland belongs to Inuit,” sparking a vibrant phenomenon of solidarity across social media.
The Kalallit are not the only people who stand against the Trump administration’s actions. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination and must give consent to decisions that affect their territories. Additionally, indigenous advocates worry American control would prioritize military bases and resource extraction over Inuit communities. As climate change melts Greenland’s ice, the country’s minerals and shipping routes become increasingly accessible, making Greenland vulnerable to exploitation by nations more interested in extracting wealth than preserving indigenous land.
What happens next? Despite pressure from both Greenland and Denmark, the Trump administration insists negotiations to acquire the island will continue. This pressure has, contrarily, strengthened Greenland’s indigenous movement, uniting the population of Greenland against foreign control. The Kallalit have made it abundantly clear that Greenland is their ancestral homeland – and they will be the ones to decide its future, rather than politicians in Washington or Copenhagen.
