Mission Statement

The Wishtoyo Foundation protects and preserves the culture and history of coastal communities and fosters responsibility to our waters, marine habitats and watersheds through research, education, community action and where necessary, citizen enforcement. We aim to utilize traditional Chumash beliefs, practices, songs, stories and dances to create self-respect and a greater awareness of our connection with, and dependence upon, the natural Environment.

Wishtoyo Staff     - Click on names for bios

Mati Waiya - Founder & Executive Director   

Jason Weiner - Ventura Coastkeeper Associate Director & 
  Staff Attorney   

Luhui Isha Waiya - Cultural Resource & Education Director

Lin Myerson - Operations & Grants Manager

2011 Summer Legal Clerks - Click to view

2010 Summer Legal Clerks - Click to view

Board of Directors

Charlie Cooke - Chairman - Hereditary Chief, Chumash Nation

Terry Tamminen - Director - Cullman Senior Fellow, New 

American Foundation; former Secretary of the California EPA, and

co-founder of Wishtoyo Foundation 

Beau Bridges - Director - Actor & Filmmaker

Carole Goldberg - Secretary - Professor, UCLA School of Law

Deborah Sanchez - Director - Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court

Max Gail - Director - Actor & Director, LAP Foundation

John Murdock - Director - Environmental Attorney, Santa Monica

Les Lo Baugh - Director - Attorney, Environmental Issues; Co-wrote Endangered Species Act

Chumash Women’s Elders Council Board (CWEC) - Established Fall 2010

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, its California Chumash Language School established Spring of 2010, the Women’s Spiritual Wellness Center which is to open in Fall 2012 and the Tribal Wave Youth Camp dedicated to California’s Native American Youth. It’s an honor and blessing to have the spiritual support and infinite wisdom of our Traditional Enexiwaš hi ho Šamsukauwiwaš (Respected Elder Women).

Georgiana Sanchez - Chairwoman – Barbareño Chumash / Tohono O'odham

Sue Diaz - Elders Council Member - Barbareño Chumash / Tohono O'odham

Jan Ward Olmstead - Elders Council Member – Barbareño Chumash

Luhui Isha Waiya – Elders Council Member – Barbareño Chumash/Mexica

Deborah Sanchez - Elders Council Member - Barbareño Chumash / Tohono O'odham

Nena Valenzuela - Elders Council Member – Ventureño Chumash, Santa Clara River Turtle Clan