International news: AFPBB News Young indigenous people of Greenland seek new identities

[AFP, April 6] Traditional tattoos on the arms and face reflect Inuit pride. Seqininnguaq Poulsen, 19, is part of a younger generation in Greenland seeking a new cultural identity. They also have their sights set on the independence of the island, a Danish territory in the Arctic Circle.

In Greenland, which will hold municipal elections on the 6th, nearly 40% of the approximately 56,000 residents are under the age of 25.

　Young people here have long struggled with rampant sexual abuse, violence, suicide and alcoholism.

　Inuit make up 90% of Greenland's population, but they have had problems of identity. Their traditional way of life continues to be influenced by modern society during the period of Danish colonial rule that lasted until 1953 and beyond.

Mr. Poulsen, an indigenous artist and activist, has represented Greenland in various international forums such as the United Nations (UN) Summit on Indigenous Youth. They are part of what researchers call an Inuit revival.

　The dotted tattoos on her cheeks and chin were proof of Inuit adulthood before colonization. Her hands and forearms are also painted with traditional Inuit patterns.

Mr. Poulsen got a tattoo about a year ago to honor his culture and ancestors.

"I wanted to show the world how proud I am to be an Inuit," she told AFP in Nuuk, the Greenland capital. Her name Sekningwak means "beautiful sun".

"I have to work harder to prepare myself mentally for independence. I need to change my mindset," he added. Paulsen has also been candid about her substance abuse, suicide attempts and abusive relationships.

"We really want to decolonize the system. We have to adapt it to our own way and way of thinking. Especially the school system."

■ "Not enough educated people"

　Only one in two Greenlanders graduated from high school.

　Mr. Morten Boller (21) said, "The education system should be the biggest issue in the election campaign. It is not suitable for young people in Greenland." The young man, from the western town of Kangerlussuaq, recently graduated from high school and will soon begin training in the city of Nuuk to work at the airport.

　Most of the young people who want to continue their studies leave the village, and many go to Denmark.

“There are not enough educated people in Greenland, and people come from Denmark to work. She herself wants to study abroad, but she plans to return to Greenland eventually.

　Birger Poppel, an economist at the University of Greenland, says the school system should respond to the special needs of Greenlandic youth.

　For example, he argued that what the school system should incorporate is "knowledge obtained from research on learning disabilities in children who have been traumatized by neglect and abuse."

　According to a 2018 government report, more than one in three people in Greenland are victims of sexual abuse. Most of them are childhood injuries.