Greenland is technically a territory of Denmark and does not have the same sovereignty other nations have :( Denmark does not allow its indigenous people to call themselves indigenous.
Of course, the population of Greenland are free to identify as they wish and call themselves whatever they want - including indigenous, Greenlander, Inuit etc.
And of course, they have agency to decide their own fate.
My source was an indigenous Greenlander at a mapping conference called 42°N held ar the University of Southern Maine. I can provide her direct contact information via dm.
Interesting! We had an active debate in Denmark about respectful terms. Mainly about moving away from "eskimo"
Of course, we have our share of change-resistant folks 🙄 and colonial history is obviously problematic. I feel that's in the past, tho, and there are no official restrictions of any kind
Given our history, there are those in Greenland who feel disrespected. Fair and I won't speak for them. My personal opinion - which I feel most Danes share - is that I call people whatever they want to be called 🤷
Danish word for indigenous is "indfødt" but has somewhat colonial conotations.
It's good to hear multiple sides and given the distance, impacts of tourism and language barriers it's always possible that there have been layers of misunderstanding.
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Of course, the population of Greenland are free to identify as they wish and call themselves whatever they want - including indigenous, Greenlander, Inuit etc.
And of course, they have agency to decide their own fate.
Of course, we have our share of change-resistant folks 🙄 and colonial history is obviously problematic. I feel that's in the past, tho, and there are no official restrictions of any kind
Danish word for indigenous is "indfødt" but has somewhat colonial conotations.
And thanks for a great and respectful interaction. After X, I almost forgot that was possible 😅