Communities and civilizations have thrived along the coastlines throughout history, using the ocean as a source of food, income, travel, and recreation. However, the ocean has also witnessed conquest, colonization, imperialism, war, displacement, and death. The ocean has served a multitude of different purposes and can represent or symbolize many different things, shaping the lives and identities of individuals, communities, and nations around the world.

To many, the ocean is home. Whether you have grown up on the coast, on an island, or far from the water, many of us see the ocean as important, or even vital, to our existence. But what does the ocean mean to other communities, especially those facing climate change and experiencing the legacy of colonialism? Could the connection between Indigenous peoples and the ocean be irreparably damaged?

How do people view the ocean?

“Praise your capacity for birth

fluid currents and trenchant darkness

praise our briny beginning

source of every breath … 

~

praise your capacity to endure

the violation of those who map you aqua nullius

who claim dominion over you

who pillage and dive your body

into latitudes and longitudes

who scar your middle passages” 

From “Praise Song for Oceania” by Craig Santos Perez

The ocean can be seen as a place of data or material collection. The Western relationship with the ocean often falls within this empirical category, as it focuses on scientific exploration and the economic benefits of resource extraction. There is a growing interest in seafloor mapping, in part due to a general interest in understanding the physical phenomena of the ocean. The ocean can also be viewed as a visual phenomenon, related to its natural beauty or calming presence created by the expanse of the horizon, waves crashing along the shore, or the surf coming to meet your feet in the sand. Children are drawn to the ocean because of their curiosity of sea creatures, whether it be the bottlenose dolphin or the orca whale. According to Western discourse, there is great wonder in the beauty and diversity of ocean life as evidenced by the popularity of the BBC’s “Blue Planet” documentary series. At the same time, Western discourse increasingly focuses on the delicate balance of the ocean as challenges arise related to pollution, microplastics, overfishing, invasive species, and climate change.

Another perspective views the ocean as a place and not a space. Place implies a “deep-seated attachment,” which emphasizes a deeper meaning and perception of the ocean. For some, the ocean may be a place of leisure, for sailing or sunbathing on the sand next to the water. For others, the ocean is a place of reflection, offering both physical and mental health benefits. Whatever one’s view may be, it suggests emotional attachment, leading to a greater value or sense of place. The ocean is not just a “natural” space; it is a social and cultural place that plays a key role in how we as humans understand ourselves as individuals and communities. This duality of the ocean as both a natural and cultural landscape means that the ocean is shaped not only by natural processes, but also influenced by human actions.

Views of the ocean also differ between Western and Indigenous perspectives. Western discourse often views the world according to power structures and possession. Western maps, for example, tend to focus on both land and water in terms of property ownership, erasing Indigenous peoples from their traditional lands and waters. Indigenous perspectives and scholarship, on the other hand, view land, water, air, and the ocean as interconnected, as Indigenous Knowledge emphasizes the connectivity between all things. For example, the Pacific Islands have been described as hau’ofa, or a “sea of islands,” bringing to the forefront both the water and the land. In many Pacific Island Indigenous cultures, the ocean is seen as the “sustainer of lives.” The ocean is not just a place of natural beauty; rather, it is culturally significant for many communities and nations around the world. 

Resilience and Challenging Colonial Narratives

Due to climate change, the ocean is changing as water temperatures and acidity increase and the sea level rises. Coastal communities are particularly vulnerable and inequities in climate change impacts are becoming more apparent. And when we think of how the ocean is changing, we must also think of where more vulnerable populations are being impacted by climate change. Small island states in the Pacific are particular areas of concern. They are often referred to as “hotspots of climate change,” as they are at the forefront of climate change impacts. Furthermore, with much of the population and infrastructure concentrated along the coast, islands are left vulnerable to sea level rise (SLR), saltwater intrusion, inundation, and erosion. 

Despite the challenges presented by climate change and the legacy of colonialism, Indigenous Pacific Islanders have remained resilient. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have had a deep knowledge of the ocean, inhabited the islands, and traveled nomadically by ocean-going vessels. Voyaging traditions, including ocean migration and seafarers transporting goods and people between islands, are being revived in order to re-connect people and islands by the “living, talking, and moving body” of the ocean. The livelihoods of Pacific Islanders continue to be greatly dependent upon the ocean, especially for food and jobs.

Craig Santos Perez, a native Chomoru (Chomorro) from the island of Guåhan (Guam), praises the ocean in his poem “Praise Song for Oceania.” The poem reflects the beliefs of Pacific Islanders; the ocean is seen as the source of all life, travel, food, and livelihood, representing our past, present and future. We survive only because the ocean allows it and because the ocean created us. The poem also illustrates the resilience of Indigenous Pacific Islanders in the face of settler colonialism and climate change, stating that, though the world is constantly changing due to climate change, we “praise your [the ocean’s] capacity to endure / the violation of those… / who claim dominion over you.” 

Moving Forward

On a global scale, it is becoming essential to recognize the cultural values of the ocean in order to begin integrating them into policies. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (UN SDP 14) is specifically aimed at “conserv[ing] and sustainably us[ing] the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.” While it does not explicitly mention cultural values, General Assembly Resolution 71/312 was passed in July 2017, calling for the development of “comprehensive strategies to raise awareness of the natural and cultural significance of the ocean.” Additionally, in November 2021 the Biden Administration issued a press release stating that it would commit to elevating Indigenous Knowledge and federal policy decisions. While these are only two examples, and relatively new, these actions recognize the importance of Traditional Knowledge systems in understanding the ocean. 

Water is the source of life, and the ocean sustains and connects us. Not only does it provide a source of food for countless communities, but it also supports the livelihoods of many, including small-scale, subsistence, and commercial fishermen and those involved in the tourism industry. The ocean is where life began and where many of us say goodbye to those who have passed on. But the ocean and people’s connection to the ocean is at risk due to the legacy of colonialism and climate change. We cannot continue to take the ocean’s capacity to endure for granted. When informing others about the impacts of climate change, we must also raise awareness of the ocean’s cultural significance. Changes to the ocean will lead to changes to the communities that rely on it, and the way we think about the ocean will influence how we continue to manage it in the future. It is vital that Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives are incorporated into ocean policy in order to improve equity and justice for Indigenous peoples. Decolonization and considering the cultural significance of the ocean in analyses and policies is only the start.