Inuit women’s summit in Greenland to tackle violence, rights and safety
With Denmark’s recent apology for an involuntary birth control program that targeted Inuit women in Greenland until 1991 — and the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women across Alaska and Canada — the international organization representing Inuit says the moment is critical for a gathering focused on women’s rights and safety.
The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) will hold the first Inuit Women’s Summit in Sisimiut, Greenland, from from Oct. 27-29. The event will bring together more than 50 Inuit women from Greenland, Alaska, and Canada, with others from Russia’s Chukotka region joining online.
“I am absolutely thrilled that we are able to convene Inuit women from across Inuit Nunaat (the Inuit homeland in the Arctic) at this critical moment in time,” ICC Chair Sara Olsvig said in a statement.
“The individual and collective rights of Inuit women and girls are adversely affected by many current and historical policies, programmes and events, and we must stand together in the promotion and protection of the rights of Inuit women and girls.”
Reckoning with painful past
The meeting comes as new attention is being paid to past abuses that targeted Inuit women.
In recent months, survivors in Greenland have come forward describing how they were fitted with intrauterine devices, or IUDs, without consent as part of population control measures during the 1960s and 1970s. The Danish government has since opened a formal inquiry.
Meanwhile, in Canada and the United States, work is still being done on the high numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Olsvig said those policies — and their lasting effects — remain part of a wider pattern.
“We are all deeply affected by the colonial policies that have targeted Inuit women and girls,” she said.
“At this critical moment, we must share our strengths and support each other in having the way for healing and reconciliation.”
The Summit will focus on three themes: the rights and roles of Inuit women, preventing violence and improving safety, and building strength through culture, wellness, and self-care.
Pushing for action plan
ICC says the gathering will lead to recommendations to better support Inuit women and influence policy. The meeting stems from a 2022 call by the Council to share what’s working in community healing and to push back against discrimination faced by Inuit women.
“As the unified organization of Inuit, ICC is committed to addressing issues directly affecting Inuit,” Olsvig said. “We must learn from each other and build on the healing and prevention practices developed across Inuit Nunaat . ”
The event is backed by partners including the Danish Parliament, Pauktuutit – Inuit Women of Canada, and the Nordic Council of Ministers, with observers from groups such as the Saami Council and the Arctic Council.
The ICC represents about 180,000 Inuit across the Arctic, with offices in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka, Russia. The organization advocates for the rights and self-determination of Inuit at local, regional, and international levels, including at the United Nations.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: How a Thunder Bay, Ont. women’s group is working to better include Inuit, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark’s PM apologizes in person to Greenland women over forced contraception, Reuters
Finland: Finland’s shortest life expectancy for women in Lapland, Yle News
Sweden: Giving birth in a car: a real rural problem in Sweden, Radio Sweden
United States: Alaska reckons with missing data on murdered Indigenous women, Alaska Public Media
