The USS Abraham Lincoln, a massive aircraft carrier, has been at sea for almost a year, navigating the waters of the Middle East after a prolonged deployment sparked by conflict with Iran. While the U.S. Navy announces its forthcoming return, reports of sailors’ harsh living conditions have fueled concern—bringing questions about the human cost of prolonged naval operations.
From an indigenous viewpoint, this tension becomes more than a logistical issue; it is a reflection of how societies engage with the ocean. Indigenous peoples across the world, especially those on coastlines and islands, see the sea as a living companion—an entity that gifts food, medicine, and cultural identity. In their traditions, the ocean is neither conquered nor conquered but honored, its cycles respected, and its gifts shared without depletion.
When a warship remains afloat for months, its crew’s crewed routine and the vessel’s disruption of marine ecosystems echo an imposition on this living body. Indigenous wisdom speaks of the concept of “marine stewardship,” a practice that regulates how people interact with sea resources and acknowledges the reciprocity needed to maintain ecological health. Such stewardship rejects the notion that the sea can simply be a platform for human conflict.
Focusing on the human element, the ship’s extended presence has strained sailors’ physical and mental well‑being. Indigenous communities often emphasize collective care and shared spaces—ideals that contrast sharply with the isolating, hierarchical culture found in many naval settings. By integrating indigenous care models, naval life could reduce stress and improve morale, improving the ship’s overall effectiveness.
A call goes out from indigenous leaders for a shift toward environmental stewardship over military dominance. Their voices underline a broader vision: that warships, rather than being shrouded in secrecy, should be transparent vessels that honor the ocean and serve both defense and stewardship duties. This vision urges policymakers to consider, in any naval deployment, the role of indigenous knowledge in guiding sustainable practices and ensuring respectful stewardship of the seas on which these ships sail.
