Introduction
The Chumash people trace their origins to California’s scenic Channel Islands. These islands, less famous than Italy’s or Greece’s, hold a significant place in the history of the Americas as they are believed to be among the first places settled by early inhabitants of the continent.
The Island of the Blue Dolphins
When I was in elementary school, my class read “Island of the Blue Dolphins,” a novel about a young Indigenous girl stranded on an island off California’s coast. This story, based on the real-life “Lone Woman of San Nicolas,” describes her solitary life on San Nicolas Island in the mid-19th century after her tribe was moved to the mainland by missionaries.
Personal Connection to Santa Ynez Valley
Growing up in the Santa Ynez Valley, just 30 miles from where the “Lone Woman,” later baptized as Juana María at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, came ashore in 1853 and died seven weeks later, I often reflected on this history. The Mission overlooks the Channel Islands, including San Nicolas, where Juana María lived alone for 18 years. This story stayed with me and sparked a deeper interest in the true history of these islands and their inhabitants.
Discovering the Channel Islands
Many are unaware of the Channel Islands off California’s coast. Catalina Island, with its historic port town of Avalon, is the most visited and was once a retreat for Hollywood stars. Five other islands form the Channel Islands National Park, established in 1980 to protect the islands’ diverse environments and surrounding ocean.
Unique Biodiversity
Often called “the Galapagos of North America,” the Channel Islands are home to 145 endemic plant and animal species, including a rare Torrey pine grove, island deer mice, spotted skunks, island scrub jays, and the Channel Island dwarf fox. These islands are also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, preserving one of North America’s last natural Mediterranean ecosystems.
Ancient Human Presence
The Channel Islands have a deep human history. In 1959, archaeologist Phil Orr discovered ancient human remains on Santa Rosa Island. Nearly 40 years later, Dr. John R. Johnson used radiocarbon dating to determine these remains were about 13,000 years old, making them among the oldest known in North America.
Visiting the Channel Islands
Island Packers ferries provide trips from Ventura Harbor to Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and San Miguel islands, with weekly trips from Oxnard Harbor to Anacapa Island. Catalina is the only island with hotel accommodations, while camping is allowed year-round on all five park islands.
The Chumash Connection
The discovery of “Arlington Man” raised questions about the ancient inhabitants of the Channel Islands. The Chumash people, whose territory once spanned 7,000 square miles along the California coast and the northern Channel Islands, are believed to be descendants of these early settlers. The radiocarbon dating of Arlington Man supported theories that the Channel Islands were a migration stop from northeast Asia to the Americas.
Repatriation of Arlington Man
For years, Arlington Man’s remains were housed at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. In April 2022, the remains were returned to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), which aims to return culturally significant items to Native American descendants.
Chumash Heritage and Repatriation
Nakia Zavalla, cultural director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, emphasizes the importance of repatriating ancient remains to honor Chumash heritage. She believes this is a crucial step in correcting historical wrongs and ensuring respectful treatment of Indigenous histories and cultures.
Clarifying Chumash Identity
Eleanor Fishburn, chair of the Barbareno Band of Chumash Indians and a member of the Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, clarifies that the Chumash people are diverse. The islanders, known as Michumash, were known for making shell bead money. After the mission system’s establishment in the late 1700s, different tribes such as the Samala (Santa Ynez), Canalino (Santa Barbara), Mitskanaka (Ventura), and yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini or ‘ytt’ (San Luis Obispo) emerged.
Learning More About Chumash Culture
To learn more about Chumash culture:
- Visit Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park near Santa Barbara.
- Attend the annual Santa Barbara Channel crossing to Santa Cruz Island’s Scorpion Beach each September.
- Apply to join the Channel Islands Naturalist Corps, a volunteer team educating the public about the islands’ environmental diversity and cultural heritage.
- Visit the Chumash Indian Museum in Thousand Oaks and the soon-to-open Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center.
Ethical Archaeology
Fishburn, with her background in anthropology and archaeology, highlights the unethical practices of early 20th-century anthropologists who hastily excavated Chumash sites. Modern laws like NAGPRA have changed these practices, allowing Indigenous perspectives to be considered in the study and preservation of cultural artifacts.
The Lone Woman of San Nicolas
The “Lone Woman” of San Nicolas Island, made famous by “Island of the Blue Dolphins,” remains a topic of fascination and debate. Some believe she did not live alone and only allowed herself to be rescued after her son’s death. Fishburn dismisses this as fantasy, preferring a more realistic view of her story.
Protecting the Channel Islands
Most Chumash people agree that the Channel Islands are a unique and sacred place deserving of protection. In 2023, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council proposed expanding the marine sanctuary to create a larger conservation zone, aiming to protect sacred sites, the ocean environment, and wildlife migratory corridors while limiting offshore oil drilling.
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Shauna Fry, outreach coordinator for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, has played a key role in the islands’ conservation and education efforts. She started the Channel Islands Naturalist Corps (CINC) program, which trains volunteers to educate the public about the islands’ rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Preserving Chumash Lands
Fry emphasizes the importance of educating the public about the Chumash and their ongoing presence. The islands, while close to the mainland, feel remote and require careful conservation efforts. The recent designation of the area as a whale heritage site adds another layer of importance to these efforts.
Conclusion
The Channel Islands are a vital part of Chumash history and culture. Preserving and honoring this heritage while protecting the islands’ unique environment is crucial. By understanding and respecting the rich history of the Chumash people, we can ensure that these sacred lands and their stories are preserved for future generations.
