Over the past 30 years, the lifestyle of the Inuit in Greenland has changed enormously. Company jobs have replaced seal and whale hunting as a means of making a living. Both television and the internet have brought news and pictures from around the world into Greenlandic homes. These changes have had both good and bad consequences. While the living standards have gone up, many people are unable to keep up with the pace of change. As a result, depression is rampant, and suicide rates are among the highest in the world.
In “To Wear the Burden with Dignity”, Michele Ernsting speaks to Greenlanders who are trying to bridge the gap between the old ways and the new.
Producer: Michele Ernsting
Broadcast: November 15, 1996