Award of Excellence: Tunu
In West Greenland, the east coast is called Tunu. It means “the backside.” The name comes partly from the harsh weather, which makes the coast difficult to access, and partly because the east coast was colonized 100 years later than the west coast. But it also reflects the fact that East Greenland faces some of the country’s most severe social problems: suicide, sexual abuse, violence, and substance misuse.
For many, life is so hard and hopeless that it can be difficult to see any meaning. Yet there are also forces trying to give the next generation a better life—among them, teaching young people to dream. Not necessarily big dreams, but simply about something: a sofa, a tour guide certificate, or savings for a small fishing boat.
As opportunities are few with almost no educational options and jobs, and the lack of housing puts extra pressure on families. Some try to move to West or South Greenland to study, but return when homesickness becomes too strong. The question remains: what future awaits a generation go youth learning to dream in a town that has none?
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17 year old Olav Mikaelsen has a lot of dreams. One of them is to become a football player. He both plays and coaches a younger team. "In Tasiilaq, people are good at helping each other. When the ice drifts away, everyone helps to free the boats. I’m good at seeing the positive things in life. I lived with a foster family from 2017 to 2019 because my mother became an alcoholic, and my father lives in Nuuk. Now I live in a dormitory in Tasiilaq, and my mother is doing better. The worst thing about Tasiilaq is that some people drink a lot on weekends, and then they become angry and violent. Last week, someone held a knife to a person’s throat in Tasiilaq. There are also many suicides in town. One of my friends died before Christmas, and last month it happened again with another friend. I think it happens to many young people because they fall in love with a girl and then break up. But I think it’s better now because the town has gotten better at making life easier.” What do you dream of? “To finish high school in Nuuk or complete a tourism education in South Greenland. And then come back to Tasiilaq, because it’s the best place for tourism — the nature in East Greenland is amazing, and I also grew up here. I’d also like to have a house and a barbershop, because I cut my own hair just yesterday. But first, I need to go to school more.” Do you think that will happen? “Yes, if I get accepted. I hope so. But I will miss my family and my football team.”
