The Pacific Islander Who Discovered Antarctica Long Before Europeans

And he did it in a canoe

Traditional waka canoe (Public domain)

The Western account of the discovery and exploration of Antarctica begins in 1520 with Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe. From there the history of Antarctica takes on a parade of European names: Cook, Shackelton, Scott. These names are accompanied by mythical feats and gritty photos of European…