Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Greenland Inuit Assert Shared Land Ownership
The Inuit people of Greenland believe that no one owns the land; instead, it is shared by everyone.
This idea is very important to them and has been their way of life for a long time.
Even though some people, like the former U.S. President, have talked about buying Greenland, the Inuit see themselves as caretakers of the land, not owners.
In a small village called Kapisillit, people live a simple life, focusing on hunting, fishing, and taking care of each other.
The village is facing challenges, like fewer young people and a lack of basic infrastructure, but the residents are determined to stay and protect their way of life.
The Inuit people of Greenland believe in collective land ownership, not private ownership.
This belief is central to their identity and is written into Greenland's laws.
The Inuit see themselves as temporary guardians of the land, not owners.
The small settlement of Kapisillit is facing challenges, including a declining population and lack of infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, the residents of Kapisillit are determined to stay and protect their way of life.
- Who
- Inuit people of Greenland
- What
- Assertion of collective land ownership and resistance to the idea of land being bought or owned privately
- When
- Present day, with historical context
- Where
- Greenland, specifically the settlement of Kapisillit
- Why
- Cultural and legal traditions, as well as a sense of responsibility towards the land
- Population
- 57,000
- Indigenous Inuit
- 90%
- Land Ownership
- Collective, not private
- Kapisillit Residents
- 37
- Kapisillit Peak Population
- 500
- School Students
- 3
- Inuit Presence
- 1,000 years