Greenlanders said they should make their own choice about the island's future, following U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to buy the vast Arctic island that has been a territory of Denmark for centuries. The United States president-elect, who takes office on Jan. 20, has in recent weeks expressed a desire to acquire the mineral-rich island, even leaving the door open to use military force to get his wish. Trump's interest in Greenland is nothing new. In 2019, during his last presidency, he indicated a desire to purchase the island, but his proposal was promptly rejected by Denmark as well as by the island's own authorities. As the world watches, Greenlanders are sending a clear message: the next move for their homeland should be theirs to make. The majority of its tiny population of 56,000 have rejected Trump's suggestion. For many residents, though, the feeling of being treated as a commodity rather than a territory with a voice is a familiar frustration. "It's natural that Trump asks. And it's natural that the answer is Greenland is not for sale. And if it should be, it's Greenland that makes the choice," said a Greenlander. Greenland is the world's largest island and a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. It has always been a land of intrigue -- vast natural resources, an Arctic gateway, and a culture as rich as its icy terrain. Its residents are aware of its worth, and despite a reluctance to become part of U.S. territory, many are hopeful that Greenland's moment in the spotlight can be used for their good. "This is the first real time that someone said, other than Danish, that Greenlanders were actually valuable. You are standing on a valuable ground, so of course there's a lot of things, states are acting like a state, right? Especially in my field of work, states are acting very selflessly. They are states. They have state interests. But it goes the same with Denmark. Denmark has state interests, just like any other state in the world. And they're not perfect, and that is the main issue here. Now there are some opportunities that are opening. And let's see if we can exploit it for the benefit of the future state of Greenland," said a political analyst who calls the island home. SHOTLIST: Nuuk, Greenland - Recent 1. Aerial shots of cityscape; 2. Traffic, pedestrians moving on snow-covered road; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Greenlander (name not given): "It's natural that Trump asks. And it's natural that the answer is Greenland is not for sale. And if it should be, it's Greenland that makes the choice."; 4. Various of traffic, pedestrians moving on snow-covered roads; 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Greenlander, political analyst (name not given): "This is the first real time that someone said, other than Danish, that Greenlanders were actually valuable. You are standing on a valuable ground, so of course there's a lot of things, states are acting like a state, right? Especially in my field of work, states are acting very selflessly. They are states. They have state interests. But it goes the same with Denmark. Denmark has state interests, just like any other state in the world. And they're not perfect, and that is the main issue here. Now there are some opportunities that are opening. And let's see if we can exploit it for the benefit of the future state of Greenland."; 6. Aerial shots of cityscape. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]