Pacific Islanders are the Indigenous peoples of Oceania. They share many deep ancestral and historical connections. They also have unique local identities and histories. Whether they identify as Marshallese, Native Hawaiian or Tongan, Pacific Islanders represent some of the most culturally diverse and politically dynamic communities.

The Pacific region boasts about 20 percent of the world’s languages, with over one thousand Indigenous languages. Several creole languages exist as well, including Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea, Bislama in Vanuatu, and Hawaiian Pidgin (formally Hawaiʻi Creole English or HCE). English and French also function as the official languages of several Pacific Island governments.

Pacific peoples share similar histories in both the recent and distant past. These histories appear in chants, genealogies, proverbs, songs, and other oral traditions. With the rise of the arts and digital media, an increasing number of Pacific Islander histories can also be found in film, literature, social media, television, and theater. These histories highlight important issues like anti-nuclear movements, climate justice, political sovereignty, sacred spaces, and women’s leadership, among other topics.

This module is a brief introduction to the history of Pacific Islanders, as well as issues that shape their past, present, and future.