16 December 2025
A Member of the Parliament of Greenland, Mette Arqe-Hammeken of Naleraq, has submitted a series of formal questions to the Government of Greenland through the Parliament of Greenland, focusing on the status of oil exploration in Jameson Land and the protection of Greenlandic hunters, fishers, and subsistence users from increasing foreign activity.
Questions to Parliament on Oil Exploration in Jameson Land
In her submission to the Parliament of Greenland, Mette Arqe-Hammeken asks the Government of Greenland to clarify the current status of oil exploration in Jameson Land and to state when exploration activities are expected to begin.
She further questions how local residents of Ittoqqortoormiit will benefit from such activities. Specifically, she asks Inatsisartut to clarify what employment opportunities will be available to local people and whether training courses will be offered to ensure that local workers can participate meaningfully in oil exploration activities.
In addition, Arqe-Hammeken raises questions regarding infrastructure development, particularly the planned new airport in Ittoqqortoormiit. Through Inatsisartut, she asks whether Naalakkersuisut considers the airport to be “of significant benefit to oil exploration” and, if so, how it would support exploration activities. She also seeks clarification on the required runway length if the airport is intended to function as a hub for oil exploration as well as for cargo transport, including food supplies.
Parliamentary Questions on Foreign Vessels and Access to Hunting Areas
In a separate set of questions submitted to the Inatsisartut, Mette Arqe-Hammeken addresses the growing presence of foreign vessels and tourist traffic in Greenlandic waters.
She asks whether foreign ships, boats, dinghies, and tourist vessels can be denied access to traditional hunting and fishing areas used by Greenlandic hunters, fishers, and recreational subsistence users. If such restrictions are possible, she requests clarification from Naalakkersuisut—through Inatsisartut—on how this can best be implemented.
Furthermore, she asks whether it is true that foreign tourist ships remove valuable objects from Greenland and thereby “profit illegally from Greenlandic land and resources.” In this context, she requests detailed information on how inspections of foreign vessels are carried out and how frequently such oversight takes place.
Protection of Indigenous Rights Raised in Parliament
Finally, Arqe-Hammeken raises a broader and more principled question before the Inatsisartut: whether it can truly be considered protection of Indigenous peoples when foreign ships—and even snowmobiles—are allowed to cross critical winter hunting areas.
Through these questions submitted to the Inatsisartut, Mette Arqe-Hammeken emphasises the need for stronger safeguards for local communities, greater transparency in resource development, and policies that respect Greenlandic sovereignty, traditional livelihoods, and Indigenous rights.
