Publikationer

Research | Forskning - peer review

Building on recent research on memory studies in the Arctic, this chapter examines connections between memory cultures and Indigenous agency. It investigates how Indigenous historicity and narrative sovereignty relate to Nordic colonialism in the Arctic by focusing on the memoirs of Suersaq (Hans He… Building on recent research on memory studies in the Arctic, this chapter examines connections between memory cultures and Indigenous agency. It investigates how Indigenous historicity and narrative sovereignty relate to Nordic colonialism in the Arctic by focusing on the memoirs of Suersaq (Hans Hendrik), a Kalaaleq (Greenlandic Inuit). Through this case study, the chapter explores how Indigenous perspectives relate to the colonial archive and how Greenlandic Inuit maintain narrative sovereignty through collective and public memory praxis. While broadening the canon of Nordic colonial memory (and forgetting), this chapter also invites a critical examination of historical memory as part of the coloniality of knowledge. Læs mere

Teaching | Undervisning

Greenlandic art and history are closely intertwined and have influenced each other throughout the ages. Studying the art of a particular period or artist can provide valuable insights into the historical context, cultural values, and social dynamics of that time. Similarly, understanding historical… Greenlandic art and history are closely intertwined and have influenced each other throughout the ages. Studying the art of a particular period or artist can provide valuable insights into the historical context, cultural values, and social dynamics of that time. Similarly, understanding historical events can deepen our appreciation and interpretation of artworks created during those periods. This sample syllabus was taught in 2023, with the aim to explore the interconnectedness of art and history through the works of Kalaaleq (Greenlandic Inuit) artists. Students learned about a range of approaches that link historical research with art. The topics were selected by students using a method called “creating collaborative syllabus” at the beginning of the course (usually during the first week). The syllabus is a first step to use art and creative praxis as part of history teaching at Ilisimatusarfik, but may also be used as a starting point when teaching about Greenlandic art and history at other institutions. Feel free to adapt it as you wish! Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

This article is a Kalaallisut (West Greenlandic) translation summarizing a longer English article originally published in 2023, in the History Education Research Journal published by University College London Press: https://doi.org/10.14324/HERJ.20.1.04 Eqikkaaneq Ilisimatusartut ilinniartitsi… This article is a Kalaallisut (West Greenlandic) translation summarizing a longer English article originally published in 2023, in the History Education Research Journal published by University College London Press: https://doi.org/10.14324/HERJ.20.1.04 Eqikkaaneq Ilisimatusartut ilinniartitsisullu nunaqavissut avataaneersullu ilarpassuisa nunat killiit avataanniittut ilisimasaat oqaluttuarisaanerallu pingaarnertut ilisimatusarfigineqartunut ilinniagarineqartunullu naleqqiullugit sammineqannginnerusarlutillu atorumaneqannginnerusarnerat qangalili isornartorsiortarsimavaat. Oqaluttuarisaaneq pillugu ilinniartitsinerup ajornartorsiummut tamatumunnga qanoq aaqqiissutaaqataasinnaanera misissuiviginiarlugu allaaserisami matumani ilisimatusartut Issittumi naqavissuusut aallaavigineqarput. Qanga pisimasut pillugit qanoq ilisimasaqartoqartigineranut nunasiaataanerup sunniutaanik ilisimatuutut siornatigut misissorneqarsimasunik atorluaanikkut allaaserisami matumani siunnersuutigineqarpoq UNESCO-p Piujuartitsilluni Ineriartortitsineq pillugu Ilinniartitsinermut (ESD) tunngavissiaa nutaaq 2021-mi maajimi saqqummiunneqartoq aallaavigineqassasoq. Allaaserisaq naggaserlugu nunap inuii sammisatut ilisimatusarfiginagit nunap inuiisa ilisimatusarfigisaannit ilinniarfiginninnissap pingaaruteqassusia erseqqissarneqarpoq. Ilisimatusartullu nunaqavissut ilisimasanik assigiinngitsunik aallerfigisinnaasanut naapertuilluartumik naligiissumillu pullaveqarnissatsinnut taakkuninngalu atorluaanissatsinnut iluaqutigisinnaasatsinnik pingaarutilinnik periusissiorsimanerat erseqqissarneqarpoq. Abstract: Many Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars and educators have long criticized how non-Western knowledge and histories are actively discriminated against in mainstream research and education. This article foregrounds Indigenous scholarship from the Arctic region to explore how history education can contribute to addressing this issue. By drawing on previous research on the colonial impact on knowledge about the past, the article proposes a shift in perspective in light of the new UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework introduced in May 2021. The article concludes by pointing out the value of learning from Indigenous scholarship rather than only studying it as a separate subject. This is because Indigenous scholars have created important approaches that can help us achieve fair and equitable access to, and benefit from, different knowledge resources and systems. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Unthinking historical thinking: lessons from the Arctic

In a 2017 book chapter on the continuing erasure of Indigenous epistemes in academia, the Sami scholar Rauna Kuokkanen posed an important question: is it acceptable for a site of learning to be so ignorant? Foregrounding Indigenous scholarship from the Arctic, this article examines the potential of… In a 2017 book chapter on the continuing erasure of Indigenous epistemes in academia, the Sami scholar Rauna Kuokkanen posed an important question: is it acceptable for a site of learning to be so ignorant? Foregrounding Indigenous scholarship from the Arctic, this article examines the potential of history education to address this question. Based on previous research on Arctic gender history and the coloniality of knowledge, I suggest a paradigm shift, in view of the new UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development framework (May 2021). The research investigates the challenges and opportunities that history education offers in terms of epistemic and cognitive justice within the context of Arctic memory cultures. The article concludes that much can be learned from (not about) Indigenous scholarship, which has long demonstrated a range of critical and sustainable methodologies that offer opportunities to seek epistemic justice and the restitution of cultural memory. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The study of memory cultures often foregrounds the recovery of denied historical truths, with the recognition that social and cultural norms not only shape canonical versions of the past, but continue to be complicit in legitimised forms of forgetting and erasure. This article investigates the inter… The study of memory cultures often foregrounds the recovery of denied historical truths, with the recognition that social and cultural norms not only shape canonical versions of the past, but continue to be complicit in legitimised forms of forgetting and erasure. This article investigates the intersections between personal archives and other forms of cultural expression in acts of collective memoralization and forgetting. Using the personal archives of Josephine Diebitsch-Peary, the research introduces the concept of coloniality to studying Arctic memory cultures by examining the role of gender in the context of Arctic exploration. The article concludes that an understanding of the coloniality of knowledge and its connections to epistemic violence is crucial to the study of memory and historical legacy in the Arctic. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Women in the Arctic: Gendering Coloniality in Travel Narratives from the Far North, 1907 - 1930

This article is dedicated to the complex web of gender and colonial relationships in biographical writing. The author's main focus is on publications by two women of high society who traveled through the colonial North in the early 20th century, Danish Emilie Demant-Hatt (1873-1958) and Scottish Iso… This article is dedicated to the complex web of gender and colonial relationships in biographical writing. The author's main focus is on publications by two women of high society who traveled through the colonial North in the early 20th century, Danish Emilie Demant-Hatt (1873-1958) and Scottish Isobel Wylie Hutchison (1889-1982). An analysis of these textual and visual works allows us to see how they made a contribution to the colonial project, while undermining it at the same time, and how colonial femininity combines obedience and disobedience. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Women in the Arctic: Gendering Coloniality in Travel Narratives from the Far North, 1907-1930

Recognising the diverse roles that women have played in the history of the Arctic, both as colonisers and colonised, this article uses travel writing or Arctic biographies by women writers to explore female colonisation strategies within the context of Scandinavian colonialism. Inspired by Maria Lug… Recognising the diverse roles that women have played in the history of the Arctic, both as colonisers and colonised, this article uses travel writing or Arctic biographies by women writers to explore female colonisation strategies within the context of Scandinavian colonialism. Inspired by Maria Lugone’s use of the concept of “coloniality of gender” (2008) the article investigates how gendered coloniality is produced and mediated through travel writing by women in the Arctic. While Lugones’ critique primarily addresses the racism and violence inherent in modern/colonial gender systems, the analysis uses her understanding of coloniality as a lived experience of Eurocentric domination in order to illuminate the gendered nature of complicity by white, elite women. Using the work of Emilie Demantt (1873-1958), later Demantt-Hatt, and Isobel Wylie Hutchison (1889-1982) the article analyses both ‘Nordic’ and ‘transnational’ female strategies of colonisation as they are performed and articulated through biographical writing. Both in form and content, these texts demonstrate the many ways in which global and imperial power intersected with local hierarchies and systems of knowledge as part of multiple and concurring representations of reality over time. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The Far Islands and other Cold Places: Women Travelers in the Arctic, 1850–1935

This article uses historical travel writing by Anglo-European Women to investigate the construction of gendered geographies in the Far North. Applying an interdisciplinary approach that combines history, literary analysis and gender studies, the paper examines the gendered aspects of travel, and the… This article uses historical travel writing by Anglo-European Women to investigate the construction of gendered geographies in the Far North. Applying an interdisciplinary approach that combines history, literary analysis and gender studies, the paper examines the gendered aspects of travel, and the intersectionality of gender, class and race. Using examples from two published travel accounts and personal archives, the paper will demonstrate the historical processes of gender differences and representations, as well as capture the intersectionality of literature and the construction of place in real, imaginary and symbolic terms. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Peripheral Visions: Engaging Nordic Literary Traditions on Orkney and Shetland

This article examines the reception of Old Norse literature and culture in the literatures of the Scottish islands of Orkney and Shetland. It compares in particular the work of Shetland author James John Haldane Burgess (1862-1927) and the Orcadian author George Mackay Brown (1921-1996) and it evalu… This article examines the reception of Old Norse literature and culture in the literatures of the Scottish islands of Orkney and Shetland. It compares in particular the work of Shetland author James John Haldane Burgess (1862-1927) and the Orcadian author George Mackay Brown (1921-1996) and it evaluates the ways in which these two figures use their geographically peripheral positions as unique vantage points from which to reframe Nordic identity in their writing. By re-orientating the Scottish Islands from the periphery of Britain to the centre of important scenes in Nordic history, Haldane Burgess and Mackay Brown each construct a distinctive sense of geographical and cultural place. This approach allows the boundaries of the Nordic cultural sphere to be extended, and for a new and complex third space to emerge, in which the islands connect the Nordic and Anglo-Celtic realms and situate them within world literature. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

Northern Atlantic Islands and the Sea: Seascapes and Dreamscapes

Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Orkney, Shetland and, to some extent, the Hebrides, share both a Nordic cultural and linguistic heritage, and the experience of being surrounded by the ever-present North Atlantic Ocean. This has been a constant in the islanders’ history, forging their unique way of life,… Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Orkney, Shetland and, to some extent, the Hebrides, share both a Nordic cultural and linguistic heritage, and the experience of being surrounded by the ever-present North Atlantic Ocean. This has been a constant in the islanders’ history, forging their unique way of life, influencing their customs and traditions, and has been instrumental in moulding their identities. This volume is an exploration of a rich, intimate and, at times, terrifying relationship. It is the result of an international conference held in April 2014, when scholars from across the North Atlantic rim congregated in Lerwick, Shetland, to discuss maritime traditions, islands in Old Norse literature, insular archaeology, folklore, and traditional belief. The chapters reflect the varied origins of the contributors. Icelanders are well represented, as are scholars based in Orkney and Shetland, indicating the strength of scholarship in these seemingly isolated archipelagos. Peripheral they may be to the UK, but they lie at the heart of the North Atlantic, at the intersection of British and Nordic cultures. This book will be of interest to scholars of a wide range of disciplines, such as those involved in island studies, cultural studies, Old Norse literature, Icelandic studies, maritime heritage, oceanography, linguistics, folklore, British studies, ethnology, and archaeology. Similarly, it will also appeal to researchers from a wide geographical area, particularly the UK, and Scandinavia, and indeed anywhere where there is an interest in the study of islands or the North Atlantic. Læs mere