Native America Calling: Tribal sanctuary push becomes reality in California

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Local southern California tribes will share management of a new 4,500-square-mile marine sanctuary.

The designation from the Biden Administration cites the need to protect at-risk plants and animals, including whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. Establishing the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is the first such designation initiated by Native Americans.

The idea started more than a decade ago by a member of the Northern Chumash Tribe. Join Native America Calling to find out about how the sanctuary designation came about and what its managers hope it accomplishes.

Jalama Beach is part of the newly designated Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, off the coast of Santa Barbara County in California. Photo: Robert Schwemmer, NOAA

Violet Sage Walker (Chumash) – Chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council in California

Mia Lopez (Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation) – Founding director of Su’nan The SPACE in California, and cultural educator and cultural representative for the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation in California

Michael Murray – Acting regional director for the NOAA office of Marine National Sanctuaries, an agency of the Department of Commerce

Eugene Paul (Holy Cross tribal member) – Chief of the Holy Cross Tribe in Alaska