Cultural Resources - Living Journal

‘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.


‘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.
Just 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.
‘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.
	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.
‘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.