
Ancient
stories tell of a time when Chumash People lived only on
the northern Channel Islands off the coast of what we now
call California. The islands were alive with Chumash People,
working, laughing, speaking in the language Hutash and Kakunupmawa
had given them. In the stories, Coyote, ‘Ashk’a,’
and Lizard, ‘Onok’ok’, tell of island
hillsides covered in golden poppies, island poppies found
no place else on earth, flowers so beautiful that just the
story of their beauty brought healing to the people. ‘Ashk’a’
and ‘Onok’ok’ said there were so many
poppies that on a clear day, from the mainland, the big
island of Limuw, (Santa Cruz Island), shimmered golden in
the sun.

On
the weekend of September 11, 2004, Chumash families aboard
the Islander crossed the Santa Barbara Channel toward Limuw,
their ancient island homeland. As they drew near the island
coast and pulled alongside the rugged Scorpion Rocks, colonies
of pelicans and seabirds scrutinized them. Swaxil, the largest
village of the northern Channel Islands was just around
the bend. Part of this ancient village site is now Scorpion
Campground.

Chumash
families, arriving in three separate crossings, set up camp
at Scorpion Campground to await the arrival of ‘Elye’wun,
the traditional plank canoe of the Chumash. This was the
second time, since 1834, that Chumash paddlers would make
the historic crossing from the mainland to Limuw. While
the families waited for ‘Elye’wun, the Barbareno
Chumash Council hosted a Symposium on Sacred Sites.
Contrary to many sacred site gatherings in the past, this
symposium took place at a profoundly significant village
site, adding to the historical and cultural dynamic of the
event.

The symposium
brought together some extraordinary people, grassroots leaders
like Rhonda and Rebecca Robles, daughters of the late Ajachemem
Elder, Lillian Robles, and nationally known dignitaries,
such as Billy Frank, Chairman of the Nisqually Nation of
Washington state and recipient of the Albert Schweitzer
Humanitarian Award. Good words were spoken, stories were
told and songs were sung. Dinner was a tribute to Hutash,
the spirit of the Earth, a true celebration of life. The
gathering at Limuw reaffirmed and celebrated the relationship
of all people to our Mother Earth and reminded all gathered
of the sacred places on this earth and of our responsibilities
as caretakers of this land.

From
a hilltop above Scorpion Campground, with the wind blowing
through the grasses and the sun setting to the west, the
sky streaked lavender and gold, the mainland sleepy and
purple across the channel, Elders gazed in hushed reverence.
Like the Elders on the hilltop, island oak and ironwood,
are being replanted throughout the islands. The unique
golden poppies of the islands have never left, blooming
here and there, wherever they could, a reminder of the resiliency
of the Chumash People. Limuw, ancient island homeland of
the Chumash, seemed to embrace the Elders that day, reminding
us of the sacredness of all life and of our responsibilities
as human beings, especially in this time of suffering and
war, to live authentic lives of respect and harmony.