Canada's Indigenous governor general to visit Greenland amid U.S. debate

Canada's Indigenous governor general Mary Simon and Foreign Minister Anita Anand will visit Nuuk in early February to open a Canadian consulate, Prime Minister Mark Carney said; the visit follows renewed U.S. discussion about Greenland's status.

Canada will send its Indigenous governor general and foreign minister to Greenland in early February, Prime Minister Mark Carney said. Mary Simon, who is of Inuk descent, will travel with Foreign Minister Anita Anand to Nuuk as Canada plans to open a consulate. The visit comes amid renewed public discussion by U.S. officials about Greenland's future and a broader diplomatic push to reaffirm the island's sovereignty. Canadian leaders discussed the trip with Danish counterparts while attending international talks in Paris. Key details: - Mary Simon and Anita Anand are expected to visit Nuuk, Greenland, in early February to open a Canadian consulate. - Prime Minister Mark Carney said decisions about Greenland and Denmark are for the people of Denmark to make. - The U.S. president renewed public comments about possibly changing Greenland's status, prompting responses from allied leaders. - Several European leaders joined Denmark in issuing a statement affirming that Greenland "belongs to its people." - Greenland is largely above the Arctic Circle and is home to about 56,000 people, most of whom are Inuit. Summary: The visit signals increased Canadian diplomatic engagement in the Arctic and formalizes plans to establish a Canadian consular presence in Nuuk. Officials have framed the trip within broader discussions about Arctic security and sovereignty; the immediate next step is the planned travel and consulate opening in early February.