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‘Elye’wun’s
Historic Channel Crossing
By Robert Schwemmer
| NOAA’s
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS)
staff members, aboard the NOAA support research vessel Xantu, were
witness to an historic tomol (planked canoe) crossing on 8 September 2001.
The Chumash Native American tomol named ‘Elye’wun (pronounced
"El-E-ah-woon"), was launched at Channel Islands Harbor at 3:30
in the morning. ‘Elye’wun successfully crossed the Santa
Barbara Channel arriving at Arch Rock, Anacapa Island at 9:30 A.M., the
first successful crossing to the islands in over 125 years. Passing in
front of Arch Rock at the eastern most end of the island, the paddlers
raised their paddles in unison, symbolizing their accomplishment. | |
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| ‘Elye’wun’s
crew of five paddlers continued their historic voyage traveling by
the north face of Anacapa Island where they were greeted by dolphins.
Arriving at the passage between Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands they
encountered rougher seas, the crew was reduced to four paddlers to
help raise the tomol higher in the water in order to make the passage
across to Santa Cruz Island. The historic crossing was completed when
‘Elye’wun arrived at Little Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz
Island at 3:20 P.M, a twenty-two mile journey taking twelve hours
to complete. |
As ‘Elye’wun came into view near Little Scorpion
a cry of celebration was heard from more than 150 Chumash families
and their friends. Also witnessing the landing were CINMS staff members;
Manager LCDR Matt Pickett and Cultural Resources Coordinator Robert
Schwemmer, Outreach Project Coordinator Nancy Berenson and Vessel
Operations Coordinator Matt Kelly and staff from the Santa Barbara
Maritime Museum and Channel Islands National Park. The aroma of burning
sage and sounds of horns made from seashell and ram’s horn funneled
through the cove. Children dressed in traditional Chumash clothing
stood ready to greet the paddlers. |
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as ‘Elye’wun approached the island shore the protective
marine layer that kept the seas reasonably calm during the crossing
opened to rays of sunlight. As ‘Elye’wun made the
historic landing the crew once again raised their paddles in unison
as on watchers sang in tribal song and chant. Several people waded
into sanctuary waters assisting the weary but joyful paddlers from
the tomol. |
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‘Elye’wun, a redwood constructed planked canoe, was
lifted out of the water and taken ashore where the paddlers received
blessings from Mr. Garcia a Chumash Elder. Matt Pickett and Robert
Schwemmer were also asked to participate and received a blessing referred
to as smudging. The celebration continued throughout the evening where
a feast of food was offered to all, concluding with Chumash story
telling. The day could only be described as spiritual for all that
participated. |
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Crewmember Dennis Kelley shares his thoughts "the Chumash Indians
of California’s Central Coast are known for many things in
ethnographic circles, but perhaps the most unique is our use of
the plank canoe, or tomol. This vessel was not only instrumental
in the Chumash relationship to marine resources, but it also served
to solidify the complex regional trade system whose influence was
felt far beyond our homeland."
The day before the crossing a gathering was held for the public
to view ‘Elye’wun and meet with crewmembers. During
the preview was the unveiling of a poster depicting the Chumash
story of the coyote saving the hawk, including images of a tomol
and paddlers, providing a linkage of past and present ties to the
Santa Barbara Channel. The poster was sponsored by the CINMS.
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‘Elye’wun
was hand built through funds provided to the Chumash Maritime Association
by NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary education
and outreach program. ‘Elye’wun is a "living
exhibit" at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, where the public
can visit this working tomol. Some days you will not find ‘Elye’wun
on exhibit, but may be fortunate to see the Chumash watercraft at
sea heading out to the sanctuary.
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