Click here for our 2009-2010 Report of Accomplishments

Chumash Culture

Wishtoyo is a Native American organization that utilizes traditional Chumash cultural values and practices to foster environmental awareness. The Chumash people lived for centuries along the California coast between Malibu and San Luis Obispo and the Channel Islands, depending on the natural world for food, clothing and shelter. Their culture and values, therefore, developed a deep and abiding respect for all living things and was based on the indispensable need for conservation and sustainability. 

Establishment of the Chumash Women’s Elders Council (CWEC)

The formation of Wishtoyo’s Chumash Women’s Elders Council (CWEC) is a critical addition to the effort in restoring, preserving, reviving, and protecting the ancient Chumash Village site at Nicholas Canyon. The Elder Chumash Women are the seed of our cultural preservation and provide the traditional governance for the Village. It is an honor and blessing to have the spiritual support and infinite wisdom of our Traditional Enexiwaš hi ho Šamsukauwiwaš (Respected Elder Women).

“Our women held our families together, remembered the stories and songs, and were often the primary Culture Bearers during the years of devastation. If we could somehow honor the place of Woman, the Female Principle, the Womb of Creation, and move on to what we, as women, can do to heal our wounded world, by example, by teaching, by putting into practice that internal creative capacity to carve lives of meaning for ourselves, our families, our communities and all people….that would be wonderful, powerful. Let’s get to work on this; it will help us to focus on what we, as a Council, are called to do.” - Georgiana “Luhui” Sanchez,” Šamsukauwiwaš

Please click for Women's Elders Council flyer

Please click on pictures below for larger view.

Click Here for Education Programs information and to schedule visits to the Malibu Chumash Discovery Vilage

Click Here for infomation about Wishtoyo Foundation's efforts to protect the Southern California steelhead population

Click Here for infomation on Tribal Co-
Management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Make a Tax Deductible Donation to help support Wishtoyo's Chumash Village!