|
The Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC) is organized as a non-profit corporation under the guidelines of the state of California Senate Bill 18.
NCTC mission is to offer a foundation for the Chumash people of San Luis Obispo County to bring our culture and heritage back to life, create dignity with the people, educate the public that the Chumash have always been here we have not gone anywhere and we will always be here, one continuum. We are the Chumash of over 20,000 years of habitation in San Luis Obispo County.
Recently, we have discovered a Mastodon kill site in San Luis Obispo County. In this kill site are Native American Chumash weapons and tools. We believe that this site could be dated beyond 20,000 years. Currently pollen dating is being done on the pollen located around the bones, because it has gone beyond the capabilities of carbon dating of 47,000 years, and pollen dating can date much older items.
When we walk back in time and space to a time 25,000 years ago when we were in the last ice age, the coast line was 6 to 13 miles to the west from it's current position and 300 feel lower. Saber Tooth Tigers roamed the with the mega Lions, Mastodons, Mammoths, Buffalos, Eagles, Bears, Whales, Seal Lions, and many more animals that were very incredibly large. The Chumash people lived with these animals, they were part of our family. The land was covered with giant Redwoods and Oaks the temperature were cooler and the land was lush with all types of flora and fauna. For over 20,000 years the Chumash and other California Native American lived in peace and gave ceremony to the Great Mystery.
Today the Northern Chumash Tribal Council is involved in consultation with County Government and Local Governments to improve the respect for our cultural resources and to improve the quality of archaeology performed during the evaluation given to our ancestors during the decision making process for land use issues in San Luis Obispo County. This will offer a more complete project analysis for the protection of "Cultural Places and Sacred Sites". NCTC is also working with the development community to assist them in the planning process and to better understand each others concerns.
The Northern Chumash Tribal Council is looking at self sustainability through working within the community. NCTC has leased land to start our organic farm, we will be self-reliant through agriculture and businesses in the community and not from a casino. NCTC is not looking for Federal recognition, we are not waiting for anyone to give us anything. We understand that if we work together with common goals we will be able to achieve our visions.
Just recently, we have started to work on "The Healing Vision Project" in Avila Beach. NCTC is working to build a Native American Chumash Healing Center and Cultural Center on the old tank farm property. We have received strong support from the community and are looking forward to building the project with Fossil Point LLC, Chevron, and the community.
The Barbarenos Chumash Council of Santa Barbara has recently started making the crossing between Ventura and Santa Cruz Island 26 miles, back to our home. The crossing is done in our Tomol the planked canoe 32 feet long. This vessel is tied together with native twine no nail, ribs, or rivets. These journeys have brought our Chumash Community together in spirit and community, we are working together and we are healing ourselves and our community. Below you will see picture of the Brotherhood of the Tomol and our families in Santa Barbara and in Avila Beach on the Solstice of 2007.
Water is in all things, water is ancient, its birth is in the stars. The Chumash understand that the water is in everything and is the force of life. Water is the communicator of life. Water is the most incredible essence in the Universe, respect it, protect it, and drink it.
Be Well
The Northern Chumash Tribal Council
|
