King Charles was invited to open the Canadian Parliament to defend and defend Canadian sovereignty in the light of US President Donald Trump’s pressure for Canada to become and 51st state of the United States.
In his speech the King not only defended Canada’s sovereignty but also defined Canada’s sovereignty is vested in its British, French and Indigenous history and in Canada’s diversity. Therefore, it complicated for Canada to even consider becoming a 51st US state.
This was the first visit to Canada since becoming King. During his last visit to Canada as a part of the Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee celebrations, King Charles was confronted to address the ramifications of colonization as indigenous peoples of Canada had been struggling with findings of thousands of unmarked graves of indigenous children who died in residential schools.
Pope Francis also apologised during his last visit to Canada for the role of the Catholic Church who ran these residential schools during his Canadian visit this summer and called the colonization as form of genocide. But there were also calls for Pope renounce the doctrine of discovery which gave licence for European power to colonize most of the world. There are now calls for King Charles to also renounce the doctrine of discovery.
The Doctrine of Discovery established a spiritual, political, and legal justification for colonization and seizure of land not inhabited by Christians. The Doctrine resulted in colonization of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Foundational elements of the Doctrine of Discovery can be found in a series of papal bulls, or decrees, beginning in the 1100s, which included sanctions, enforcements, authorizations, admonishments, excommunications, denunciations, and expressions of territorial sovereignty for Christian monarchs supported by the Catholic Church.
Two papal bulls, in particular, stand out: (1) Pope Nicholas V issued “Romanus Pontifex” in 1455, granting the Portuguese a monopoly of trade with Africa and authorizing the enslavement of local people; (2) Pope Alexander VI issued the Papal Bull “Inter Caetera” in 1493 to justify Christian European explorers’ claims on land and waterways they allegedly discovered, and promote Christian domination and superiority, and has been applied in Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas.
During Prince of Wales William and Princess Kate, royal tour of the Caribbean, also during the Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee, they were confronted with protests for reparations and apologies for slavery and colonization in Jamaica. Anti-colonial sentiment in the Caribbean saw Barbados removed the Queen as the head of state recently.
Will King Charles address the growing resentment against the British crown for the ramifications of colonization that he is King? What Course will the new King take that to restore respect in the monarchy is still in question while Canada continues its process of reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
Trump has also threatened to take over Greenland. This remote and breathtakingly beautiful island is not only home to stunning landscapes but also to a remarkable journey towards self-determination, sovereignty, and independence for its Indigenous people, the Greenlandic Inuit.
Since 2009, Greenland has experienced a significant shift in its political landscape, marked by the passing of the Self-Government Act (SGA). This act represented a culmination of three decades of limited “home rule” autonomy and the transfer of mineral and oil rights from Denmark to Greenland. It granted Greenland extensive self-government and, crucially, the option of full independence from Denmark in the future.
Three paramount issues emerged: recognition as a distinct people, the pursuit of independence, and access to mineral resources. These pillars underpin the aspirations of the Greenlandic Inuit.
The Greenland Self-Government Act builds upon the powers established in the Home Rule Act of 1979. It offers Greenland the opportunity for increased self-governance and potential independence. However, Denmark retains control over certain key aspects, including the constitution, citizenship, Supreme Court, foreign affairs, defense, and currency.
Under this act, Greenland can elect its own parliament and government. The Inatsisartut, Greenland’s legislative assembly, comprises 31 elected members who serve four-year terms. Despite the autonomy gained, Greenland’s governance structure remains a Nordic-style cabinet-parliamentary system, and there is no current plan to establish a government based on Inuit values and governance principles.
Former premier Aleqa Hammond expressed satisfaction with the agreement, asserting that it reflects Inuit governance due to the substantial Inuit involvement in its formulation.
Independence is a shared dream among many Greenlanders. They view it as a legitimate aspiration deeply rooted in Inuit culture. The Self-Government Act explicitly recognizes the right to independence, emphasizing that the decision regarding Greenland’s independence rests with its people.
Achieving independence hinges on implementing self-government fully and gaining authority over all 33 areas of jurisdiction outlined in the agreement. However, challenges loom large, including economic, logistical, and social hurdles. The pragmatic pursuit of independence has sometimes overshadowed abstract considerations of Indigenous rights.
Greenland’s quest for independence is intrinsically linked to its economic self-sufficiency, driven by resource extraction. Yet, this poses a complex dilemma, as it necessitates balancing economic growth with environmental and social responsibility.
The downturn in global mineral, oil, and gas prices has impacted Greenland’s prospects for independence. Several major oil companies have withdrawn from exploration in West Greenland, further complicating the path to self-reliance.
The right to mineral resources is viewed as pivotal by many, but it also brings pressure to develop these resources aggressively. The country’s self-government expansion is contingent on economic diversification and self-sufficiency, which has sparked extensive debates and public discourse on resource extraction.
The challenge lies in finding a balance between resource development, economic growth, and preserving Greenlandic culture and environment. Large-scale projects, like the Isua iron-ore open pit mine, have raised concerns about insufficient public consultation, environmental impact, and the importation of foreign laborers.
Greenlanders grapple with the rapid pace of development and its potential repercussions on their way of life. Ambiguity surrounds the future as the country navigates uncharted territory.
Greenland’s journey toward self-determination and independence is a complex one. While it represents a significant achievement in Indigenous self-governance, it is not without challenges. Despite self-government, Greenland still contends with lingering colonial influences. A considerable number of Danish civil servants, often lacking cultural competence, occupy key positions within the government. This reliance on Danish expertise and a lack of continuity among Danish professionals hinder the full realization of Indigenous self-determination.
Greenland’s self-government journey serves as an inspiration to Indigenous peoples worldwide, particularly other Inuit communities in the Arctic. It highlights the possibility of Indigenous self-determination within Western institutional frameworks, sparking hope for others seeking greater control over their destinies.
Greenland’s quest for self-determination, sovereignty, and independence is a multifaceted and evolving journey. The right to mineral resources, international recognition, and the pursuit of independence constitute the core aspirations of the Greenlandic Inuit. Challenges abound, particularly in balancing economic development with cultural preservation. Yet, Greenland’s path serves as a beacon of hope for Indigenous peoples worldwide, showcasing the possibilities of self-determination within established institutional frameworks. As Greenland navigates this uncharted territory, the world watches with anticipation and support.
In the realm of self-determination, Greenland stands as an exemplar of progress, inspiring Indigenous communities globally to chart their unique paths towards sovereignty and self-governance. The Inuit of Greenland and the Inuit of Canada shares a common history of colonization and struggle for self determination and sovereignty.
When Canada repatriated its constitution with asking British Parliament to enact the Canda Act, allow the Canadian Parliament to amend its own constitution, it recognized that the Indigenous peoples of Canada have Inherent rights. Trumps threat to take over Greenland and Canada fails to recognize that the land inherently belongs to indigenous peoples.
Even Trumps attempts to take over Gaza for redevelopment ignores Palestinian sovereignty just when Gazans have started to return to their homes after the Israeli seize over their lands. Trumps attempt to recolonize colonized lands is froth with problems of who has the right to govern indigenous lands.
Recently elements of the western Canadian Province of Alberta, have been pushing to their own sovereignty and independence from Canda which has been pushback from indigenous nations saying that the land does not belong to them that they must negotiate with indigenous nations for any form of sovereignty or independence.
Quebec, Canda’s eastern province which defines itself as a nation withing Canada had its National Assembly vote to break all ties with the monarchy soon after the King’s departure. Quebec also has had long standing history of separating from Canada with similar issues of complications around sovereignty.