The Tragic End: What Happened to John Chau?

The Mission documentary is now available for streaming on Disney Plus and Hulu. Gain insight into the story of John Chau, the events at North Sentinel Island, and his tragic death. In 2023, the documentary arena has seen some remarkable additions, such as the heartbreaking stories of Stephen Keenan and Alessia Zecchini in The Deepest Breath, and the devastating case presented in Take Care of Maya.

The Mission, a National Geographic documentary, is set to create a powerful impact as the year comes to an end. It takes a nuanced approach to the divisive story of John Chau, a fundamentalist Christian missionary who was killed in 2018 while visiting an uncontacted tribe. The documentary made its streaming debut on December 8, offering an in-depth look at the true story. Warning: Some may find this content distressing.

The Mission: Who was John Chau and how did he die?

John Chau, a deeply religious evangelical Christian, was raised in Washington and went to Vancouver Christian high school. In November 2018, he undertook an unauthorized journey to North Sentinel Island with the intention of converting the uncontacted Sentinelese tribe. Despite being given multiple warnings, Chau was fatally shot with arrows and his body was never recovered.

Chau was respected by his peers, but even his father, Patrick Chau, questioned the intense form of Christianity his son followed. The Mission portrays Chau as having a "youthful thirst for adventure" and an idealized perspective that influenced his decisions and life path. His reading of books like Russell T. Hitt’s Jungle Pilot and Elisabeth Elliot’s The Savage My Kinsman is highlighted by Dan Everett, a Professor of Linguistics and former missionary who both deeply respects Chau and disapproves of his actions. "He's reading the same books that I read, and drawing the same lessons that most Christian believers do," says Everett. "There's great inspiration from people who aren't afraid of death and endure hardship."

Chau’s determination to contact the Sentinelese was concerning, as it is against the law to visit North Sentinel Island, their home. The Sentinelese have witnessed the destruction of other tribes by colonialism and have made it clear to previous visitors that they do not want their community to suffer the same fate. Additionally, there is the potential risk of exposing the Sentinelese to deadly diseases. Despite these dangers, Chau continued with his plan, even attending a missionary training program run by the American evangelical organization All Nations.

The islands endured a history of colonial oppression

As part of his preparation, members of All Nations reenacted a scenario simulating Chau's visit to the island, with staff using imitation weapons to represent the villagers. The organization received significant backlash following Chau's tragic death.

Despite being aware of the risks and potential criminal consequences, Chau traveled to Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands where North Sentinel Island is located in October 2018. He assembled a contact kit, consisting of a waterproof bible, gifts for the Sentinelese people, and other essentials. In his diary, recovered by the fishermen who transported him to the island, Chau wrote: "Lord, is this island Satan’s last stronghold, where none have heard or even had the chance to hear your name?"

Chau's initial encounter resulted in a warning after a child shot his bible with an arrow. In his diary, Chau expressed feeling fear, but was mainly disappointed at not being accepted immediately.

Everett, speaking from the perspective of the Sentinelese people, described their challenging life, existing with limited resources. They are wary of outsiders who may bring diseases and have intentions that they find threatening, based on past negative experiences in their history.

Despite the Sentinelese making it clear that they did not want him on their island, Chau persisted in his attempts to make contact with them. He ignored warnings and continued to visit, ultimately meeting his demise when the islanders killed him on November 17th.

National GeographicThe Sentinelese attempted to communicate with Chau

The event received global criticism, reigniting the discussion surrounding isolated tribes. Director of Survival International, Stephen Corry, declared: "This disaster could have been prevented. The Indian authorities should have been ensuring the safety of the Sentinelese and their island for the protection of both the tribe and outsiders.

Months ago, officials lifted a restriction protecting the Sentinelese tribe's island from foreign visitors, sending a message that may have contributed to a tragic event. The Sentinelese, who have repeatedly expressed a desire to be left alone, should have their wishes honored. The fear of outsiders is understandable given the history of colonial occupation, which decimated the tribes living on the Andaman Islands. There is concern that the Sentinelese, who have no immunity to outside pathogens, may be at risk of a deadly infection that could potentially wipe out the entire tribe.

Uncontacted tribes are in urgent need of proper protection for their lands. They are among the most vulnerable peoples in the world, facing violence and land theft from outsiders, as well as deadly diseases to which they have no immunity.

Tribes such as the Sentinelese are at risk of a catastrophic fate unless their land is safeguarded. This should serve as a wake-up call to the Indian authorities to prevent another tragedy and ensure the lands of the Sentinelese and other Andaman tribes are protected from further invaders.

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Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of documentaries that explore the complexities of human nature and cultural encounters, I find the story of John Chau and his ill-fated mission to North Sentinel Island both captivating and deeply unsettling. The Mission documentary promises to shed light on the events leading to Chau's tragic demise, offering a nuanced perspective on his motivations and the consequences of his actions.

Chau's unwavering determination to convert the uncontacted Sentinelese tribe, despite clear warnings and the potential risk of exposing them to deadly diseases, raises important questions about the ethics of cultural preservation and the boundaries of religious zeal. The documentary's exploration of Chau's background, beliefs, and preparation for his mission provides a deeper understanding of the factors that influenced his decisions.