Aviaaja Lennert Olsen is from Sisimiut on the west coast of Greenland.

The city, she explains, is known as the ‘pearl of the coast’ due to its history as the first fishing capital of the country.

Olsen grew up surrounded by her family, raised to learn and prioritise the Greenlandic language and stay close to the land. Much of her childhood was spent outdoors.

– I was raised in nature and peace and love. With all the love I could get.

She also grew up during a time of visible change and need of constant adaptation to the environment. Her community have had to adapt to the ongoing unstable weather.

For all the communities in Greenland that depend on predicting the changes of the seasons, that shift has brought uncertainty and risks, she explains.

– We can’t rely on weather forecasts anymore. We read the weather ourselves — but now it comes with worry.

Watch the video interview with Olsen below. The post continues below it.

Learning responsibility early

Learning the responsibility of her own community from a young age, Aviaaja felt the expectations of taking charge placed on her generation.

In Greenland, it has become normal for younger generations to be taught that they will one day take on the responsibility of protecting their country and its culture.

– We knew since we were children. That we are the next generation. That we have to take responsibility and be good representatives of our country.

She describes it as both meaningful and demanding. It has shaped her path of life, including her decision making to pursue higher education and get involved in organisational work.

– There are good aspects of it. But it also comes with a lot of pressure.

It can be overwhelming, but Iʼm willing to take that responsibility for my country.

A promise to return

Aviaaja is currently studying Sustainable Heritage Management in Aarhus, Denmark.

But her plan is clear. She wants to return to her community in Sisimiut and work with nurturing local cultural knowledge — possibly at the museum or within the municipality.

– I want to make knowledge systems more accessible. I want to work in ways that help sustain heritage and pass it on to the next generation.

She says people at home are proud of her — and waiting for her to return. Thatʼs a promise she intends to keep.

– A lot of them are waiting for me to come home. That means a lot to me.

Thinking about the next generation

Aviaaja is driven by a passion to make things easier for those who come after her.

She hopes for the future generations in Greenland to grow up with less societal pressure, and for them to be able to carry on the future of Greenland with more ease.

– I hope my future children wonʼt have to bear the generational trauma I was born with.

And I hope they know their mom didnʼt stop at any point.

She also hopes for stronger cooperation across the Arctic and beyond.

Youth, she says, need to be included in the discussion. Not just spoken with, but given the chances of being able to make real influence within the Arctic.

– We are the future. And we should be equalized within our society to be part of the decision making processes.

This interview was done by Markus Thonhaugen from the High North Center, Nord University as part of the YoungArctic project — an initiative working to make the Arctic a more attractive place for young people to settle, work, and live. Through our Instagram page and this blog, we share stories from youth across the region — to better understand their lives, hopes, and challenges.