1. ‘Autonomism and self-government in Nunavut and Greenland’
Robert C. Thomsen
Aalborg University, Denmark
ICASS IX
Umeå, 8 June 2017

2. Article 3
Indigenous peoples have the right of self‑determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
Article 4
Indigenous peoples, in exercising their right to self-determination, have the right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions.
Article 26
Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired. (
documents/DRIPS_en.pdf)

3. Greenland / Kalaallit Nunaat Population: 57,000 Area: 2,166,086 km2
(~85% Inuit/Inuit-Danish)
Area: 2,166,086 km2
Nunavut
Population: 37,000
(~85% of Nunavummiut are Inuit)
Area: 2,038,722 km2
Nunavut Territory with partial self-government in 1999, based on the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act (1993) and the Nunavut Act (1993).
Greenland Home Rule in 1979, Self-Government in 2009, based on the Act on Greenland Self-Government (2009).

4. Governance in two ‘Inuit autonomies’: Nunavut and Greenland
to explore areas in which best practice might be transferrable or adaptable to the other community.
to determine areas in which core differences suggest that solutions/models are non-transferable and non-adaptable.
to investigate how Indigenous status, practices and values inform the perception of rights and governance models.

5. Nunavut
“The Inuit of Nunavut see themselves as a part of Canada and are interested in further devolution of powers and in stronger cooperation and partnership [within existing] federal structures.” (Loukacheva, 2007: 16)
“Inuit exchanged Aboriginal title to all their traditional land in the Nunavut Settlement Area for the rights and benefits set out in the NLCA […]. NTI coordinates and manages Inuit responsibilities set out in the NLCA and ensures that the federal and territorial governments fulfil their obligations”. (Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, 2015) 5 5

6. Government of Nunavut ‘Conventional’ territorial government within the Canadian federal state, yet with distinctive features: • Policies and decisions are to be imbued with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) • Inuktitut is to be the working language of government • Government and public employment must be representative (85% Inuit)
-- • Indigenous hunting and resource rights (not unique to Nunavut) • A non-partisan, consensus model of parliamentary government (not unique to Nunavut)
“[T]he nature of the Nunavut bureaucracy removes IQ from its Inuit context. The range of Inuit values and culture that can be used and reflected in Nunavut institutions is thus in large part limited by bureaucratic structures” (Levésque 2014: 128).
“Thus, it could be said that there are two Nunavuts […]: 1) the Nunavut Settlement Area governed by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) for the benefit of Inuit beneficiaries only; and 2) the territory of Nunavut, governed by the Government of Nunavut for the benefit of all Nunavummiut.” (Ibid., 120).

7. One people = one nation = one political framework
Greenland / Kalaallit Nunaat
“Recognising that the people of Greenland is a people pursuant to international law with the right of self-determination […,] [d]ecision regarding Greenland’s independence shall be taken by the people of Greenland […]. Independence for Greenland shall imply that Greenland assumes sovereignty over the Greenland territory.” (‘Act on Greenland Self-Government’, 2009)
One people = one nation = one political framework 7 7

8. Naaja Nathanielsen’s ‘§37 questions’ to the Naalakkersuisut
Q: “Does the Naalakkersuisut […] share the view that the people of Greenland is no longer to be considered an Indigenous people? […] How does the Naalakkersuisut understand the difference between the status as a people in international legal terms and the status as a nation?” (Inatsisartut 2013; author’s translation).
A: “In the understanding of the Naalakkersuisut, the Greenlandic people is an Indigenous people, a nation and, in international legal terms, both an Indigenous people and a people in international legal terms” (Inatsisartut 2013; author’s translation). 8 8

9. ______________________________________________________
“Indigenous and Western European based forms of governance are not mutually exclusive and may be effectively influenced by each other.” (Fondahl and Irlbacher-Fox, 2009: 17).
______________________________________________________
How do Indigenous rights and national rights of self-determination differ?
Which forms of government might best address different rights?
What determines when/if an Arctic people qualifies as either?
Does status and rights as one preclude status and rights as the other? 9 9