Inuit speak out

Amid the tug-of-war over Greenland, its population, the vast majority of whom are Indigenous Inuits called Kalaallit, have been watching closely.

In 1953, when the island became part of the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenlanders became Danish citizens, but many indigenous people have continued their demand for independence.

Widespread protests against a US takeover took place on Jan 17 in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense in Denmark, with Greenlanders also joining in.

The demonstrations were organized by Uagut, the National Organization for Greenlanders; the citizen initiative Hands Off Kalaallit Nunaat; and Inuit — the Joint Association of Greenlandic Local Associations in Denmark along with ActionAid Denmark.

"The threats from the American president to annex Greenland felt like psychological warfare," Julie Rademacher, chair of Uagut in Denmark told China Daily.

She said it was terrorizing for many Greenlanders, not only those living in Denmark, but "it has been even harder for our compatriots in Greenland to withstand the pressure".

"Greenland is not for sale," she added.

"It is not a territory to be purchased, annexed, or bargained away. It is home to 57,000 people with their own language, culture, parliament, and democratically elected government."