Long before Spanish missionaries arrived, the Santa Barbara coast was home to one of North America’s most complex indigenous civilizations: the Chumash.

Self-government is essential for tribal communities to protect their unique cultures and identities, the Chumash said. In turn, tribal cultures and traditions provide a foundation upon which ...

Haylee Bautista, ocean advocate with the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region — whose tribal territory overlaps with the sanctuary — said ...