Greenland looks to Canada’s Indigenous defense model for local Arctic security roles

Greenland is examining Canada’s approach to integrating Indigenous and local communities into military and emergency response operations, according to a new study by Danish researchers, DR reports.

The study highlights the success of Canada’s Canadian Rangers—a program where local residents, including Indigenous peoples, assist the military in remote Arctic regions. Greenland’s former foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, has previously expressed interest in adopting a similar model as part of the country’s defense agreements with Denmark and Canada.

Researchers Signe Winter Lindbjerg of the University of Southern Denmark and Jeppe Strandsbjerg of the Royal Danish Defence College analyzed how Canada and Iceland involve local populations in defense and security tasks. Their report, “Involvement of Local and Indigenous Peoples in Arctic Defense and Emergency Operations,” emphasizes the Canadian Rangers’ effectiveness in search-and-rescue missions, sovereignty patrols, and environmental monitoring.

“The Canadian model has been highly successful,” said Lindbjerg, noting that the program leverages existing local skills—such as navigation and survival expertise—rather than imposing rigid military training. Rangers receive only a mandatory 10-day introductory course, with additional training tailored to individual needs.

A key strength of the model is its local adaptability. Each Canadian Ranger Patrol Group operates independently, determining its own leadership and structure in collaboration with communities. This decentralized approach ensures rapid response times across vast, sparsely populated areas—conditions Greenland shares with Canada’s northern territories of Nunavut, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.

Greenland and Denmark have already agreed to explore a similar initiative as part of their defense policy negotiations. The study suggests such a program could enhance Arctic security while preserving local traditions and knowledge.

How Canada’s Rangers operate

The Canadian Rangers are divided into five regional groups:
– 1st CRPG: Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories
– 2nd CRPG: Québec
– 3rd CRPG: Ontario
– 4th CRPG: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
– 5th CRPG: Newfoundland and Labrador

Rangers conduct patrols, support search-and-rescue operations, and report unusual activity, relying on deep familiarity with Arctic terrain and conditions.