Prominent Inuit rights activist and lawyer Aaju Peter has issued a compelling call to action, urging democratic societies to staunchly support Greenland's sovereignty. She frames this not just as a matter of international principle, but as a direct precursor to challenges that may soon face Canada.
A Direct Warning for Canada
Speaking on January 08, 2026, Peter, a Greenlander and respected advocate, delivered a clear message: democratic nations must stand with Greenland because "Canada is next." Her statement serves as a stark warning that the geopolitical and Indigenous rights issues at play in Greenland's relationship with Denmark and other global powers are a mirror for future tensions in the Canadian Arctic.
Peter's argument centers on the principle of self-determination for Indigenous peoples and the integrity of Arctic sovereignty. She suggests that the international community's response to Greenland's situation will set a critical precedent. If external pressures or negotiations undermine Greenland's autonomy, it could establish a dangerous template that might later be applied to Canada's northern territories and the rights of its Inuit populations.
The Broader Geopolitical Context
This call to action comes amid a complex geopolitical landscape. The news item references that Denmark is engaging in talks with the U.S., viewing them as an opportunity for "the dialogue that is needed" over Greenland. This highlights the ongoing international interest in the strategically significant Arctic region, where melting ice is opening new shipping routes and access to untapped resources.
Peter's intervention places Indigenous voices at the heart of this high-stakes dialogue. It underscores that sovereignty in the Arctic is not merely a question of national borders between states, but is inextricably linked to the rights, title, and stewardship of the Inuit and other Indigenous peoples who have inhabited these lands for millennia.
Why This Matters for Canada
For Canada, the warning is particularly resonant. Canada's Arctic sovereignty claims, especially in the contested Northwest Passage, are a perennial national priority. Peter's statement implies that defending Greenland's right to self-determination and control over its territory and resources is, in effect, a proactive defense of similar principles that Canada relies upon.
A failure by the democratic world to support Greenland could weaken the broader normative framework that Canada depends on to assert its own claims and manage its relationships with Indigenous Nations within its borders. It raises urgent questions about how Canada balances its foreign policy, its Arctic strategy, and its commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
In essence, Aaju Peter connects the dots between a distant geopolitical issue and Canada's core national interests. Her message is that solidarity with Greenland today is an investment in the security and legitimacy of Canada's Arctic sovereignty tomorrow.
