John Allen Chau

John Allen Chau was an American missionary who, in 2018, traveled secretly to North Sentinel Island, home to an isolated, uncontacted tribe in the Indian Ocean. His goal was to share Christianity with the Sentinelese people but ignored their strong desire for isolation and safety. Despite warnings, he approached the tribe multiple times, ultimately resulting in his death. His actions sparked widespread debate about respecting indigenous peoples’ right to remain uncontacted versus the desire to spread religious beliefs. His story highlights the complex ethical issues surrounding outsider contact with uncontacted tribes.