The canoe is the people : indigenous navigation in the Pacific

Abstract

Thousands of years ago, when most sailors were still hugging the coast, the island peoples of the Pacific held the knowledge and skills to explore the great ocean paths around and beyond their homes. They navigated their canoes with their own sophisticated techniques, using the seas, skies, and sea life to guide them. Their knowledge was built up through generations of experience and handed down through careful teaching, stories,and songs. Using modern technology to its best advantage, The canoe is the people honours and explores the knoweldge and skills of traditional Pacific navigation. It is designed primarily for Pacific youth but will be of great interest to others as well.