Women, Heritage & Navigation in the Pacific

Historically, Polynesians exhibited remarkable navigational skills, traversing the expansive Pacific Ocean using advanced techniques. Notably, in many Pacific cultures, women are recognized as primary sources of navigational knowledge. They employed a sophisticated combination of celestial navigation—using the positions of stars, the sun, and the moon—as well as piloting methods, which involved recognizing and utilizing regional and seasonal weather patterns. Additionally, Polynesians possessed an intimate knowledge of their environment, identifying species of plants and animals native to specific islands. This expertise allowed navigators to anticipate the type of land they would encounter and estimate its distance. By recognizing these biological indicators, they could better predict the characteristics of the land ahead and navigate with remarkable precision. This deep ecological awareness not only informed their navigation but also played a crucial role in their resource management and environmental stewardship practices.

This research examines how the growing urgency of global environmental challenges can be addressed by integrating the principles of the UN Ocean Decade with the rich navigational heritage of Pacific cultures—especially the knowledge and contributions of Indigenous women. By incorporating these traditional practices and holistic worldviews, the project seeks to expand global strategies, fostering solutions that are both more culturally inclusive and better suited to effectively tackle environmental issues.