Chumash Heritage Sanctuary

Chumash Heritage Sanctuary

The “seashell people” need our help. 

The Chumash (seashell) native people, for 15,000 years residents of California’s Central Coast, have petitioned NOAA to create the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, protecting 140 miles of coastline between Cambria and Santa Barbara, and the waters offshore.

Hear the plea of Chumash Tribal Council Vice-Chair Violet Cavanaugh:

“Uplift the Universe, inspire the world populations, feel Mother  Earth’s Joy, our great Oceans of Water are all peoples, and all peoples should take a Stand Now, protect our Sacred Coast, the Viewshed of the Ancestor for over 15,000 years, ask friends to sign the Petition and share in your community, sing the song of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary!!

“It is time to pass the story of how we protected our coast to our children, we must teach them the true meanings of our resources, the life ways of our oceans, the connectivity of all life, working together to be one great Mother Earth Community, uplifting for the Children of the Future, connecting to the joy of life rather than living the sorrow of greed, power and dominance. Create a new source of revenue for our community, expand research, assist Mother Earth in replenishing our resources, assist the fishing industry to reach greater heights of viability, include all voices of our community, this is our ocean and we know how to take care of Her!!”

I signed Violet’s Change.org petition to NOAA to create the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.  I encourage you to also.

https://www.change.org/p/the-national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration-noaa-protect-california-s-central-coast

(Brief background:  The Northern Chumash Tribal Council has petitioned NOAA to designate 140 miles of coastline between Cambria and Santa Barbara and offshore waters as a new National Marine Sanctuary.  This would close the gap between the Channel Islands Sanctuary and the Monterey Bay Sanctuary.  It would forbid any future oil and gas drilling.  Chumash sacred sites on and off shore would be preserved.  NOAA would use ecosystem management practices to preserve the rich diverse ocean habitats.  

Of our current 15 National Marine Sanctuaries, CHNMS would be the first to focus on indigenous culture and history as a primary core value along with protection of ocean habitat.  A widespread coalition of civic and environmental groups supports the Tribal Council petition.  Fishing and oil interests oppose it.  NOAA has accepted the petition, along with others, a big first hurdle, but there are many more steps, and there is no timeline for when NOAA will decide.  It is by no means a done deal, especially with a new administration. It took years and years and hundreds of community meetings to effect the designation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.  Add your name, your support, your money, your prayers to this sacred cause. www.chumashsanctuary.com)