News Release
Robert Schwemmer
News Release Date: August 14, 2024
Contact: NewsMedia@nps.gov, jasmine_reinhardt@nps.gov
WASHINGTON– National Park Service Director Chuck Sams joined the Chumash Indian community paddle across the Santa Barbara Channel on August 10. The community paddle highlights the continuing of the cultural tradition of crossing the channel as the Chumash’s did for thousands of years.
A rotating crew paddled a tomol (canoe) called Muptami, or “Deep Memories,” for about eight hours on a 24-mile journey to Santa Cruz Island, one of the five islands that make up Channel Islands National Park. This was the 21st crossing in modern history.
The Chumash crew, along with Director Sams, launched Muptami from the Channel Islands Harbor before dawn and reached Swaxil, present day Scorpion Harbor, on the island of Limuw, commonly known as Santa Cruz, by midday Saturday.
“Being invited to participate in this special event with the Chumash is an honor and a testament of the progress we have made in building trust, strengthening relationships, and fostering reconciliation,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said. “Much progress has been made in the last few decades, and there are many opportunities ahead for further collaboration on stewarding these sacred lands and waters.”
Today, tomols and channel crossings provide the Chumash with a deeper understanding of their rich maritime heritage and connections with the Channel Islands.
Families and members of the Chumash from San Luis Obispo to Malibu and beyond welcomed the tomol and celebrated on the shore with a ceremony.
Also in attendance was John Armor, director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
"We have enjoyed a strong and rewarding partnership over the past 20 years with Chumash community members in support of their annual return to Limuw," Armor said. "This sharing of traditional knowledge and practices enables us to work together to become better stewards of national marine sanctuaries."
Chumash life has never been separated from the Channel Islands. This crossing and arrival represent a sacred pilgrimage for this group, and an opportunity to spend time together on Santa Cruz Island celebrating indigenous culture and their deep spiritual connection to this island.
The Chumash and their ancestors originated and lived on the northern Channel Islands for more than 13,000 years before the arrival of Europeans. Nevertheless, the Chumash were removed from their ancestral islands. Not until the tomol crossings began in modern history, did they come full circle back to their ancestral homelands.
This event also highlighted the many partnerships that support the crossing and arrival, including the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the Barbareño Chumash Tribal Council, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and the National Park Service (NPS) at Channel Islands National Park. Every year, the crossing grows and the relationships between the tribes, partners, and supporting agencies deepen.
National Park Service and Marine Sanctuary acknowledge the ancestral homelands of the Chumash people which predate the agencies. As stewards, both agencies are entrusted to conserve and protect for future generations, including sites and resources that hold significance to Chumash who have lived and cared for Santa Cruz Island since time immemorial. NPS and NOAA support tribal partners in keeping with their responsibilities to embrace Chumash people with original cultural and historical ties to the island.
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Last updated: August 15, 2024