For more than three centuries, Denmark’s rule over Greenland shaped nearly every aspect of Inuit life. What was long portrayed as benevolent administration is now increasingly understood as a colonial system marked by forced assimilation, racial discrimination, and state sanctioned abuse. From the early eighteenth century through the late twentieth century, Danish policies left deep and lasting damage to Greenland’s Indigenous Kalaallit population.
1721 to 1800. The Beginning of Colonization
Denmark formally established control over Greenland in 1721 when missionary Hans Egede arrived with the backing of the Danish crown. His mission was not only religious but political. Inuit spiritual traditions were suppressed as Lutheran Christianity was imposed. Traditional belief systems were discouraged or banned, and conversion became closely tied to access to food, trade, and survival.
During this period, Denmark established a strict trade monopoly. Greenlanders were prohibited from trading freely with other nations. Danish authorities controlled prices, wages, and goods, ensuring economic dependence. Inuit communities were discouraged from self determination and gradually drawn into a colonial economy designed to benefit Denmark.
1800 to 1900. Institutional Control and Racial Hierarchy
Throughout the nineteenth century, Denmark tightened its grip on Greenland. Inuit people were increasingly governed under separate legal systems that treated them as wards rather than citizens. Danish settlers enjoyed better housing, healthcare, wages, and legal protections.
Scientific racism became common during this era. Danish researchers conducted anthropological studies on Inuit bodies, often without consent. Measurements, photographs, and remains were collected and sent to Denmark. Human skulls and artifacts were removed from burial sites, many of which were never returned.
Education systems reinforced inequality. Schooling emphasized obedience and Danish values, while Inuit culture was portrayed as primitive or backward. Greenlandic language and traditions were increasingly marginalized.
1900 to 1953. Assimilation and Political Exclusion
In the early twentieth century, Denmark intensified assimilation policies. Inuit children were taught that success required abandoning their language and culture. Greenlandic was discouraged in schools, while Danish was treated as superior.
Despite being under Danish rule for centuries, Greenlanders had virtually no political representation. Major decisions about land use, healthcare, and education were made in Copenhagen with little or no local input.
In 1953, Denmark declared Greenland an integral part of the Danish state, ending its formal colonial designation. This move was made without a referendum or direct consent from the Greenlandic population. While Denmark presented this internationally as decolonization, real power remained in Danish hands.
1951 to 1970s. Child Removals and Social Engineering
One of the most notorious episodes occurred in 1951, when Danish authorities removed 22 Inuit children from their families. The children, some as young as five, were sent to Denmark to be raised as Danish speakers and cultural examples. Most never fully reconnected with their families or communities. Many suffered lifelong psychological trauma, identity loss, and social isolation.
This experiment was not an isolated incident. Throughout the mid twentieth century, Inuit children were routinely placed in Danish run institutions or foster care. Inuit parenting practices were labeled inferior to justify removals, contributing to widespread family separation and cultural erosion.
1960s to 1970s. Forced Birth Control and Medical Abuse
During the 1960s and 1970s, Danish authorities implemented reproductive control programs that targeted Inuit girls and women. Thousands were fitted with intrauterine devices without informed consent. Some were as young as twelve. Many were never told what the devices were or that they could be removed.
The consequences were severe. Women reported chronic pain, infections, infertility, and psychological trauma. Greenland’s birth rate dropped sharply during this period. These actions are now under investigation and have raised questions about violations of human rights and international law.
Medical neglect was also widespread. Healthcare facilities in Greenland were underfunded compared to those available to Danes. Medical research was sometimes conducted on Inuit patients without proper consent, reinforcing patterns of exploitation.
1980s to Present. Consequences and Reckoning
The long term effects of Danish policies continue to shape Greenland today. High suicide rates, substance abuse, family breakdown, and cultural loss are widely linked to decades of forced assimilation and institutional abuse.
In recent years, Denmark has begun to publicly acknowledge parts of this history. Formal apologies have been issued for the child removal experiment, and limited compensation has been offered. Some human remains and cultural artifacts have been returned.
However, many Greenlanders argue these steps are insufficient. There is no comprehensive reparations program, and several investigations remain ongoing. Calls for accountability are closely tied to Greenland’s growing push for autonomy and independence.
As Greenland reassesses its future, Denmark’s past actions are no longer treated as distant history. They are increasingly recognized as a central factor in the social and political challenges Greenland faces today, and as a legacy that continues to demand acknowledgment, accountability, and justice.
No comments:
Post a Comment