Personal Story: How Federal Service Uses Outdoor Recreation to Build International Relations

Even Large Organizations, such as the U.S. government, uses Outdoor Recreation as a tool for change, community, and service, such as the Inuit tribes of Greenland. Read on for more…

Photo Credit to Dr. Allie Swan of MoveTheJourney.com

During my time in Active Duty Service, I was given the extraordinary opportunity to work in Pituffik, Greenland for a year. Though the preponderance of the workers up there are U.S. Military and Danish civilian citizens, being in one of the most isolated parts of the world allows for the chance to encounter several of the Inuit Native Tribes in the Area.

As an act of goodwill and building International Relations with the Greenlandic people and the Kingdom of Denmark, the base holds an event called Greenlandic Heritage Week. The weeklong celebration centers around Armed Forces Day, a holiday recognized to honor the sacrifices of troops across Denmark, the U.S. and our allies. However, all the activities, contests, and sports of the celebration are built with the Inuit Tribes in mind.

Up to five communities with up to one hundred Inuit visitors arrive either by plane or dog sled (yes, dog sled) to compete against the other tribesmen and women for prizes. From polar plunges, ice hockey, dog sledding events, and the like. While Danish, U.S. American, and Inuit are all welcome to participate in an act of camaraderie. At the same time, the U.S. Air Force uses this as an opportunity to help spread goodwill for the Inuit nations, with school supply donations and food supplementation for those tribal families experiencing food shortages at winter’s end.

I was fortunate enough in my Year in the Arctic to be the Armed Forces Day event organizer for the U.S, as well as photographer and journalist for the celebration, and the event continues to this day.!

Read Here for My Publication on the Event

Read Here for an Informative Thought Piece From a More Recent Event Host.