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HOW THE CHANNEL ISLANDS BECAME
A MARINE PROTECTED AREA
A CHUMASH STORY
Sea Turtle is very old and very wise. He travels to many areas, going slowly, watching everything going on around him. As he ages, he records Ocean’s history on his back. He notices that:
Dolphin talk as they swim,
Otter is very busy and knows how to use tools,
Swordfish and Whale play together.
Seeing Ocean’s pain, Sea Turtle called Ocean Animals together in a place called the Channel Islands. They talked about how to make the waters rich with life once more. Swordfish said he would plant kelp and seagrasses. Otter said he would make a clam bed. Whale said he would patrol and protect the sea animals. Dolphin said he would talk to the animals about what they needed. As a chorus, they all asked what Human would do.
So Sea Turtle’s spirit talked to the Chumash people who said they would ask the “wots” the chiefs in places called Washington and Sacramento to protect the Islands so Ocean and Ocean Animals could recover from their pain. And they did and that is how the Channel Islands became a marine protected area, a place where the Chumash carry on the work of the Brotherhood of Ocean Animals today.
Sea Turtle’s spirit and the Chumash people send this message to you. Slow down, watch Ocean, listen to Dolphin telling you about Ocean’s pain. You will become wise enough to make better choices about the land, air, and sea. You will learn how to become a steward of the ocean as the Chumash are.
Adapted from a story by Mati Waiya, a member of the Chumash Nation’s Sea Turtle Clan
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