Gilbertese people migrated to the United States from the Pacific islands, specifically from the Republic of Kiribati, a collection of 21 inhabited islands. The island was named after Captain Thomas Gilbert, who "discovered" the main island of the group in 1788.

Their language, Gilbertese, is a Micronesian language that has a basic verb–object–subject word order. The official name of the language is now te taetae ni Kiribati, or 'the Kiribati language'.

They are known for the stick dances that are performed during special occasions.

Christianity was introduced to the Gilbertese in the 19th century. On Kiribati, approximately one out of two Gilbertese adhere to Roman Catholicism with another large percentage belonging to the Kiribati Uniting Church. Many other Protestant denominations, including evangelical churches, are also represented. Other religions represented include the Bahaí, Jehovah's Witnesses, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).