The proud people of Bikini Atoll originally inhabited the northern edge of the Ralik Chain of atolls in Micronesia. Skilled canoe-builders and navigators, the ancient seafarers introduced and cultivated crops on their fruitful land, living sustainably and without foreign influence until the 1820’s. In 1946, the Bikinians were exiled from their homeland, when the United States asked them to sacrifice their atoll “for the good of mankind and to end all world wars”.
Following 23 nuclear detonations, the people of Bikini are now spread across multiple islands and the United States, still longing for their chance to return home. Although they were promised fair compensation for their “temporary” displacement and that the US would be good stewards of their land such that the people could resume living on their beautiful islands, this simply has not happened.
More than seven decades have passed since the Bikinians were exiled. Determined to find a way back home, Mayor Anderson Jibas is leading efforts to revive Bikini and to bring his people home. By fighting to gain control of their own funds, Bikinians are striving to improve their health, education, transportation, agriculture, and to protect themselves from the effects of the planet’s climate crisis.