The repatriation of greenland’s cultural heritage

Abstract

During Greenland’s colonial period (1721–1953) a sizeable number of Danish and Norwegian citizens lived in Greenland, while scientists from abroad acquired a significant amount of ethnographic material and other objects. These items found their way into royal and museum collections in Denmark and across Europe, including the collection housed at the National Museum in Denmark. In 1979 Greenland obtained home rule. As of 1-January 1981 all matters relating to museums and the protection of ancient monuments became the responsibility of Greenland’s national government, one consequence of which was the creation of the Greenland National Museum. The museum then initiated talks with the Danish National Museum in order to transfer parts of its collections back to Greenland. Repatriation of such artefacts is a common desire among Greenlanders, who during colonial times lost essential aspects of their cultural heritage. Repatriation is inextricably bound up with the restoration of cultural pride and identity. The legal instruments that define the relationship between Greenland and Denmark do not encompass repatriation. As such, Greenlanders instead based their arguments on ethical and post‐colonial considerations.