The Maine North Atlantic Institute (MNAI), a part of UArctic member University of Southern Maine (USM) is hosting a week of events exploring Greenland’s rich culture, history, and pressing social issues. These free events are part of the ongoing Maine-Greenland Collaborations project at USM, which fosters cross-cultural partnerships and community-based research between the two regions. Through film and panel discussions, this Greenland-themed week offers two interconnected opportunities to delve into critical topics impacting the North Atlantic, highlighting the power of collaboration to address shared challenges in both Maine and Greenland.

These events have been made possible in collaboration with The Parsonage Gallery, New England Ocean Cluster, World Affairs Council of Maine, the Maine International Trade Center and Cove Street Arts. 

Event 1:

Cross-Cultural Collaborations: Opportunities for Addressing Social Issues in the North Atlantic
Date: Tuesday, October 22
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: University Events Room, Glickman Family Library (Portland campus) & Zoom
Register: https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkdO6pqT0rHNWHYjiBR9ovLWjmWVgLJz1y

This panel discussion will focus on how educational exchanges between the University of Southern Maine and Ilisimatusarfik/University of Greenland are fostering new collaborations to address critical social issues in the North Atlantic. Panelists, including faculty and students from both universities, will explore how community-based research, policy advocacy, and reciprocal engagement can help tackle challenges like healthcare access, housing insecurity, and social inclusion in Maine and Greenland.

Panelists:

  • Dr. Charlothe Petersen Mørkhøj, Ilisimatusarfik / University of Greenland
  • Dr. Dorothea Ivey, University of Southern Maine
  • Lars Pedersen Rasmussen, BSW Student, Ilisimatusarfik / University of Greenland
  • Sandra Perez, MSW Student, University of Southern Maine

Moderator: Dr. Paula Gerstenblatt, Professor of Social Work at the University of Southern Maine

Event 2:

SUMÉ: Sound of a Revolution, a Greenlandic Film Screening
Date: Thursday, October 24th
Location: Cove Street Arts, 71 Cove St, Portland, ME 04101
Doors Open: 12:00 pm
Film Start Time: 12:30 pm
Film Length: 73 minutes
Q&A: 30 minutes
Admission: Free
Register: https://bit.ly/sumefilm

Join a screening of SUMÉ: Sound of a Revolution, an inspiring documentary about the Greenlandic rock band Sumé, whose music helped ignite Greenland’s movement toward self-governance in the 1970s. Directed by Inuk Silis Høegh, the film tells the story of how Sumé’s revolutionary songs became a powerful cultural and political force, influencing Greenland’s independence from Danish colonial rule. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Inuk Silis Høegh (director) and Per Berthelsen (co-founder with Malik Høegh, co-composer, second lead singer, and lead guitarist), moderated by Jan Piribeck from the University of Southern Maine. 

Film Details:

  • Director: Inuk Silis Høegh
  • Language: Greenlandic, Danish (with English subtitles)
  • Length: 73 minutes
  • Q&A Speakers: Inuk Silis Høegh (Director), Per Berthelsen (Lead Singer of Sumé), and Jan Piribeck (Moderator, USM)