Greenland In Their Own Words

Perhaps the best way to learn about a place is to listen, to observe. When immersed in a new city or a new country, the most valuable thing a traveler can do is sit back and watch. That’s a journalist’s job, so it was nothing new in Nuuk, but it’s a piece of advice anyone could benefit from.

Given the tensions between America, Denmark and Greenland, there is understandably some anxiety as an American travelling to Nuuk—but the people were warm, and happy to talk about their country or even their thoughts on President Donald Trump. Not every resident wanted to talk about what is closest to them—their culture, their heritage, their community—but those that did painted a more nuanced image of Greenland than even expected.

Love for the homeland

“I really love Greenland, even though I was born in Denmark,” shopkeeper Sophie Korniussen said. Her parents are both Greenlandic, but they didn’t have a doctor, so her mother had to give birth in Denmark.

Korniussen said she has “mixed” feelings about Denmark. She wants Greenland to become independent someday.

“It would mean a lot to the Greenlandic people,” she said, “but we’re not ready.”

There is a great sense of Greenlandic pride throughout the island. Many people were in touch with their own spirituality and community.

“Greenland has never been at war, Greenland is very peaceful and it’s really spiritual,” Aqqalu Jensen, an Inuit fisherman who works in both Greenland and Denmark, said. “In winter, there’s lots of days it’s very dark, and so we just enjoy to talk together, and maybe have stories. [There’s] a lot to talk about with this—it’s a connection to the land.”

The traditional name for Greenland is Kalaallit Nunaa, translating to “the land of the people.”

Jensen is from a small town in Greenland, but he said that people all know each other and have a lively community of their own.

“[It’s a] very nice place, the sun is shining and a lot of snow in the winter,” he said. “Everybody’s happy. On weekends, you can listen to live music, Greenlandic music.”

Albert Tanko, a blacksmith who has worked at the same shop for over 50 years, described Greenland as “living in sugar.”

“We couldn’t have it better. If you want to have it good, you can have it good. If you want to work, you can have it good,” Tanko said. “In America, you have to struggle for work. Just like Japan, where you have to work very well. Here, there’s so much, so much healthcare and social [programs.]”

And the gorgeous landscape of Greenland is not lost on anyone, of course. When someone’s lived somewhere for their entire life, it’s easy to imagine that the shock of the natural beauty would wear off, but Greenlanders almost always express an admiration for the land.

“It’s really nice to live here, because we have very beautiful nature,” Royal Greenland worker Ilanguaq said. “Sometimes it can be grateful, sometimes it can be downwards.”

Complicated feelings despite Greenlandic pride

Greenland’s got issues at a larger scale, too, just like any modern country would. One major problem on the island is alcoholism, which spirals into homelessness for some.

Svend Jensen has been homeless for three years. He lost his father in 2023 and began to drink. For him, feelings on Greenland have become complicated.

“I have nothing to say about [the meaning of Greenland,]” he said. “I mean, my meaning is pointless. I’m homeless.”

Because of his alcoholism, it’s hard for Jensen to use programs like homeless shelters. He often finds shelter in stairs or near buildings. One of the perceived benefits of Greenland’s relationship to Denmark is the shared comprehensive welfare system, but it isn’t always possible for those who need it most to participate.

“I am very proud of being a Greenlandic person, but most of the rules are made by the Danish government,” Jensen said. “It’s very difficult for me to explain to you what really the problem is in the government because I have no connection with them. I have been seeking help for three years now, but not much result from it.”

This starkly contrasts Tanko’s statement that “you can have it good” if you want it.

Lasic Kai, a labor worker who was born in Denmark, described living in Greenland as “rough. It’s cold and expensive.” He said living in Nuuk is even more expensive than Denmark.

But he has family in Greenland, and particularly mentioned his nephew as his reason for staying.

He doesn’t speak much Greenlandic, but he said that people are increasingly speaking more English in Greenland, crediting it to Instagram and TikTok.

When asked if he thought the Greenlandic language was on the decline, Kai said, “I hope so. I really hope so.”

It was a shocking response after other Inuit people expressed a deep love for their native language and culture.

These residents illustrate a vast spectrum of feelings and sentiments for Greenlandic culture and life.

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This story is part of a semester-long investigative reporting project into Greenland’s people, history, and culture. It was created by an advanced reporting class in the Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies program at UW-Milwaukee. Other stories from the project are available on Edge of the Arctic: Greenland, the Land of the People.

This work was made possible through the support of MPC Endowment Ltd., the philanthropic affiliate of the Milwaukee Press Club, and a private donor.