October has begun – the beginning of some of the most beautiful, majestic landscapes in the country. However, not all of the richness of the Kingdom of Denmark lies in the mainland; it can also be found in the Faroe Islands and Greenland. October is an important month for the latter, as Greenlanders celebrate their Constitution Day on October 1st.
The history between Denmark and Greenland contains everything from impressive natural landscapes and royal visits to a colonial past and lingering tensions. More specifically, during the 20th century, the Inuit population suffered a series of measures that led to their cultural suppression, coerced assimilation into Danish norms, and, in some instances, forced relocation. Although attitudes have changed a lot over time, these policies still represent a painful chapter in Greenland’s history.
In recent years, Denmark has been more introspective about its colonial past, with growing calls for acknowledgement of the harm caused and different efforts to rebuild its relationship to Greenland.
However, the challenge now lies in the abysmal inequality between the two societies: while Danes lead “fairytale” sort of lives, Greenlanders have several pressing internal issues, particularly related to suicide, educational inequality, substance abuse, and domestic violence. These problems are so widespread that the average Greenlander is affected by one or more of them. For Denmark, this requires empathizing with a very different (and harsh) reality and finding ways to not only amend but also support its full Kingdom effectively.
