Views related to the 14th Inuit Circumpolar Conference General Assembly on July 22, 2022:
Initially, I would like to say that I trust and respect the ongoing tasks and initiatives, not least the report to the general meeting.
I am fully aware of the magnitude and extent of the global challenges we face culturally and professionally, which – without a doubt – put great pressure on all of us.
This is because if our country had been besieged and ruled by foreigners 350 years ago, I would not be able to write this document, as there is a great restriction of prey in Greenland without consideration and trust in the country’s population.
For example, I can highlight the situation in East Greenland, where quotas have not been allocated to belugas in East Greenland, as there are reportedly no belugas living in the area, despite the indigenous people – who know the area and conditions – have always said that there were lots of prey, you only trust outside guests who do not know the conditions.
This has led to a painful confiscation of the catches of belugas. Our country is surrounded by sea, populated by a small population scattered in many small settlements, and thus our ancestors have lived off the resources for generations, without bothering each other, where one has utilized the land and sea resources in a sustainable way.
The country’s laws and regulations on catches have not been updated in relation to climate change, because we must remember that we inhabit a country with ice and darkness, and climate change has had a number of consequences with warmer temperatures, which will have negative consequences unless we adapt. We need mitigate the negative conditions and adapt, thus maximizing the positive consequences this may entail.
The traditional way of life and hunting exists unchanged in the outer districts, thus the dog sled and qajaq are still used to this day, and will probably also be used in the future. However, it is totally unacceptable that there is such a large restriction on prey. The hunting animals are the hunters’ only source of income to be able to pay bills and maintain their lives, and not least to ensure the children’s conditions.
It is therefore fitting that indigenous peoples be involved in matters that concern their conditions, for it is the rightful heirs of our cultural values who inhabit our traditional lands and who protect the environment and animals to secure our lives. Users’ knowledge and
experience must therefore be used on an equal footing with biologists in connection with advice on quotas.
The extent of suicide in the Arctic is sky high in relation to the size of the population, and it is therefore sad when young people – who would otherwise have to take control of our country – commit suicide, and our thoughts go to the bereaved families, friends and acquaintances. But if one disregards the eyes of socialworkers and legislators, that one considers things from an inter-ethnic aspect, one can easily separate many elements, and prioritize these higher. For example, the regulations state that you can not help people unless they are violent or a danger to themselves or others, and that is reactionary. How many parents stand alone, helpless with such problems?
The Greenlandic language is undermined by the Danish language, where the spoken language is impaired by translations because things are translated directly, and the message is therefore greatly degraded and sometimes very distorted. An immediate action must be taken here, as we may risk losing our language if nothing is done immediately.
Food
We live in the cleanest marine environment and what should otherwise be the cleanest country, and therefore we must do our part to utilize the sea and the terristial resources. Although I am not an expert, I believe that many cases of allergies and disease are largely due to exported food. We must therefore intensify the degree of self-sufficiency in meal and food, as this will lead to healthier and stronger peoples.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that it is imperative for KNAPK to safeguard the UN Convention on Human Rights, and we will take an active part in protecting these rights. We therefore fully and firmly support the ICC’s efforts in this regard.
I wish you all a good general meeting.
Nikkulaat Jeremiassen Formand