Nunavut MLAs hoist Greenland flag in show of support
‘They want to stay as Greenlanders,’ MLA Fred Pedersen says of family members
Speaker David Joanasie hoists the Greenland flag in front of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly, on Tuesday. (Photo by Daron Letts)
Updated Jan. 20 at 5:30 p.m. ET
The day after U.S. President Donald Trump unleashed his latest social media tirade targeting Greenland and Canada, Nunavut’s elected officials showed their solidarity with the autonomous territory of Denmark.
David Joanasie, the Speaker of Nunavut’s legislative assembly, raised Greenland’s red and white flag outside the legislature during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon. Joanasie represents Nunavut’s South Baffin constituency, which is about 800 kilometres away from Greenland’s capital, Nuuk.
The ceremony was meant to send a message to Greenlanders across the ocean and those living in Canada.
“It’s showing strength and solidarity for our cousins and neighbours across the strait,” Joanasie said. “We are the same.”
For weeks, Trump has been talking more intently about the need for the U.S. to take over Greenland as a matter of national security — to prevent Russia or China from controlling it. That talk has intensified recently, with the president saying he could buy the island from Denmark, but that he would seize it “one way or the other.”
Co-ordinated demonstrations held last weekend in Iqaluit, Nuuk, and throughout Denmark inspired the flag-raising event, Joanasie said.
“It’s all about democracy,” he said. “This legislature stands for democracy.”
After being elected in October, the territory’s MLAs are in Nunavut’s capital for a week of meetings ahead of the winter sitting scheduled for March.
Joanasie hoisted Greenland’s flag in front of the legislative assembly, facing Sivumugiaq Street. A lack of wind prevented the flag from unfurling, but the audience of MLAs and community members applauded with enthusiasm anyhow.
It’s flying on a lone flagpole in front of the legislative building.
Cambridge Bay MLA Fred Pedersen said he was thinking of his own family back in Greenland, where he was born. He has a brother, cousins, aunts and uncles living in several Greenland communities.
“They’re definitely not wanting the U.S. to take over Greenland. They want to stay as Greenlanders,” Pedersen said, shortly after Joanasie hoisted the flag.
“That’s what Greenland wants and we want to show our support for that.”
Note: This story was updated to reflect that MLA Fred Pedersen was born in Greenland
Dont forget that Denmark doesn’t recognize inuit, they are awarded the same rights and benefits as Danish Citizens. No special treatment. Is that really something worth celebrating?
Lookk at the living conditions and education levels between the two countries and tell me Canadian Inuit somehow got the better deal…
Sounds like a healthy model for a society, might explain some of the noticeable differences between Nunavut and Greenland.
Let’s not forget what the USA has done to its indigenous people and how they treat the Black people.
Hurry up 867, you’re getting killed in the votes, time to pound that button… bring those those likes up, you fool us all everytime!
It would be better if you kept comments to your self since you obviously have never been to Greenland
The world is growing tired of divisive identity politics.
There was never a time when there wasn’t not all countries will get a long or there will colonial countries that will always try to colonize another country for it’s own benefits.
More people with their hands out..
The US Purchased Alsaka. 7.2 million in 1867.
In 1940 Denmarks insignificant army was over taken and Germany occupied Denmark and therefore Greenland. They would have gotten to north America undetected and Squashed us. Thats why they want it. Because Denmark doesnt have the ability to defent it from China and Russia. Also with Marky Marks deal with China we will have China in Canada, another thing the US needs to defend from.
The rot in the land is widespread and deep, the people are regarded as the enemy to a few in number class of the rich powerful wealthy that does its damnedest to keep things going their way. Read research, much of the press is just another possession of that class.
they should ask to Join Canada…Problem solved
The true north strong and not the US
Canada should also ” get” Alaska and make it a territory as it was true north strong and free
It would great to join Inuit Homeland as it was the original intent of ICC.
That would be the same thing as the US ‘taking over’ Greenland. The only solution to maintain order is to leave Greenland alone. It’s not that hard to understand…
🎵”Oh say can you see…”🎵🤟
Wait…I thought this was the Stanley Cup finals. Sorry… my bad
Probably the alignment that makes the most sense is for Greenland to become part of North America.
Greenland, the territory, has a land mass equal to the combined size of the three prairie provinces and with a total population of less than 60,000. The land mass and population are also very similar to Nunavut. We already have an Arctic territory. Let the USA have Greenland. Good bookend for North America and Canada. Socially, economically, and politically that’ll be good for Canada, Greenland, the USA and the world.
Why would any Inuit want to be Americans? Look how natives are treated in the US or Alaska. Greenlanders are some of the most highly educated indigenous people in the world. They know all about the native villages in Alaska and the Reservations in places like South Dakota. Why would anyone want to see their quality of life significantly decline?