Pacific Island Pride: How We Navigate Australia

Abstract

Pacific Island peoples have a long-standing history in Australia, but throughout that history, their experiences on arrival have unfortunately been marked by racism and prejudice. The racism is extensive, ranging from negative stereotypes to official government statements. In this essay, we explore previous research and our own lived experiences to disrupt and dismantle these narratives. Through this process, we have discovered a shared resilience and pride among Pacific Island peoples in Australia, as evident in their use of cultural imagery, family, and knowledge to guide their individual and collective journeys. In this essay, we provide a strengths-based perspective on Pacific Islanders and their cultures in hopes of informing both local and national government policies. Our voices—as two Pacific Island academics raised in Australia—unite to tell our story.