Northern Chumash Tribal Council

?? We are deeply grateful to the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club for their steadfast support and partnership in the journey toward the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. As we await the final steps of this process, we look forward to continuing this journey together to secure lasting protection for these cherished waters. Together, we’re protecting our heritage for future generations. ?? Read their press release here: https://lnkd.in/ePBfQMMP

Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration for advancing the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary and reinforcing the commitment to ocean conservation! Protecting our oceans is essential for future generations, and this action preserves both cultural heritage and marine ecosystems. Read the fact sheet released by the White House here: https://lnkd.in/gWupTc4R #chumashsanctuary #OceanProtection #designatechumash

??Happy Birthday to Violet Sage Walker, an incredible leader, advocate, and steward of the ocean and indigenous culture! ??? As the Vice Chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council and the driving force behind the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary campaign, Violet’s dedication to preserving our oceans and cultural heritage is inspiring. Your lifelong love for the water and commitment to environmental advocacy is a true testament to the power of passion and community. May this year bring you even more opportunities to shine, explore, and protect the lands and seas that mean so much to you and your ancestors. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary campaign and NCTC teams wish you a beautiful day filled with joy, love, and gratitude for all the amazing work you do! ???? #IndigenousLeadership #OceanAdvocate #DesignateChumash

?? Big News! ?? The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary has been posted to the federal register! This marks a huge milestone in our mission to protect and preserve California’s central coast and its cultural heritage. Read our press release here: https://lnkd.in/gM7jdhKF #ChumashHeritage #MarineSanctuary #OceanConservation #ProtectOurOceans

Join us in celebrating Elena's one-year anniversary with the Northern Chumash Tribal Council! ???? Elena joined us in June 2022 as a Public Outreach Associate, making significant contributions by engaging our community and promoting the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary campaign. Now, as Executive Assistant, she brings a rich background of experience, a love for advocacy, and a dedication to advancing positive change to support our team. Elena, your contributions over the past year have been invaluable. We eagerly anticipate seeing how your passion and skills will continue to further our mission! #NCTC #NorthernChumash #ChumashSanctuary #DesignateChumash

“This has been an ongoing dream of the Chumash people and the community for more than my lifetime — almost 50 years now,” said Violet Sage Walker, chair of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC). Read the full KQED article here: https://lnkd.in/gc_8D-_y #ChumashSanctuary #DesignateChumash #MarineConservation #VioletSageWalker

???? Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Dawn Alexandra Murray as she joins the Northern Chumash Tribal Council family! ???? Dr. Murray, a distinguished marine biologist, focuses her expertise on global ecosystem conservation. Her dedication to participatory conservation has led her to collaborate with Indigenous cultures worldwide, from the Maya in Tulum to the Shuar of Ecuador and the Monpas in Bhutan. With a passion for empowering communities, Dawn co-created a citizen science program for NOAA, monitoring marine sanctuaries' rocky intertidal and sandy beaches. She continues to serve as a science advisor, bringing her wealth of knowledge to the table. At NCTC, Dr. Murray will play a pivotal role in curriculum development and project advisory. Her commitment to environmental stewardship and cultural preservation aligns perfectly with our mission, and we're thrilled to have her expertise on board. Welcome, Dr. Dawn Alexandra Murray, to the Northern Chumash Tribal Council! Together, let's work towards a brighter, more sustainable future for our community and our planet. ?? #NCTCWelcome #ChumashSanctuary #NCTC

???? Let's extend a warm welcome to Karell Kelley Reader as she joins the Northern Chumash Tribal Council family! ???? With a diverse background spanning from teaching high school agriculture to performing customer service and sales in the private sector, Karell brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team. After years of successful ventures, including developing environmental and social equity venture capital matching strategies, Karell semi-retired to manage real estate investments and pursue her passion for Arabian horses on her historic family farm in Corralitos, California. Karell's commitment to environmental conservation and social equity is evident through her involvement in various non-profit organizations. Currently serving on the Planning and Conservation Committee of Wetlands Watch, she dedicates herself to protecting and preserving ecosystems and sloughs around the City of Watsonville. Additionally, her work with Wild Farm Alliance focuses on educating farmers and ranchers on habitat preservation and enhancement for wildlife on their properties. With a Master’s Degree in General Agriculture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Master of Public Policy degree with concentrations in Land and Water Use, Karell's educational background reflects her dedication to addressing complex environmental and social issues. Karell's passion for environmental and social equity aligns perfectly with the mission of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, and we're thrilled to have her on board. In her role, Karell will be assisting with the financial aspects of the organization. Welcome, Karell, to the Northern Chumash Tribal Council! Your passion, knowledge, and skills will undoubtedly contribute greatly to our mission. Together, we'll work towards a brighter, more sustainable future for our community and our planet. ?? #NCTCWelcome #ChumashSanctuary #EnvironmentalAdvocacy

???? Please join us in welcoming Elena to her new role as Executive Assistant within the Northern Chumash Tribal Council family! ???? Elena joined the NCTC team in June 2022 as a Public Outreach Associate, where she played a vital role in engaging our community at farmers markets and festivals throughout SLO County, sharing valuable insights about the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary campaign. Now, as she steps into her new position, Elena brings her wealth of experience, passion for advocacy, and dedication to driving positive change to support the NCTC team throughout their intersectional work. With a Bachelor of Science in Environmental & Ecosystem Sciences from Washington State University, Elena's minor in Sustainable Development and emphasis in Policy & Planning reflect her deep understanding of the issues at hand and her readiness to tackle them head-on. Her commitment to environmental justice, marine conservation, and Tribal governance aligns perfectly with our mission, and we're confident that her expertise will further elevate our efforts. Originally from the East Coast, Elena has spent considerable time in California, finding solace and inspiration in nature's diverse landscapes and intricate ecosystems. Her journey has led her to the beautiful landscapes of California's Central Coast, where she currently resides, bringing her appreciation for nature's beauty and complexity to her work with us. Elena, your dedication and expertise have been invaluable to us since you joined the team, and we're excited to see how your skills and passion will continue to contribute to our mission in your new role as Executive Assistant. Together, we'll continue to make a difference, honoring our heritage and safeguarding our planet for generations to come. ?? #NCTC #ChumashSanctuary #DesignateChumash #EnvironmentalAdvocacy

The proposed Chumash Sanctuary is now recognized as a Mission Blue / Sylvia Earle Alliance Hope Spot! Thank you to Mission Blue for this honor and for collaborating with us to protect the Central Coast. Together we are highlighting the importance of NOAA designating the Chumash Sanctuary by summer 2024. We agree that we must protect the Central Coast’s irreplaceable environmental and cultural ocean sites. Northern Chumash Tribal Council Chair Violet Sage Walker and recently retired Santa Lucia Sierra Club Director Andrew Christie are being recognized as the Hope Spot Champions for over 10 years of work on the Chumash Sanctuary campaign by them and their organizations. Thank you to Violet, Andrew, Mission Blue, and all of you for supporting us over the years and in this final stretch towards designation. The time is NOW to designate the entire area of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary! Read more about the Mission Blue Chumash Sanctuary Hope Spot in our press release here: https://lnkd.in/gMzAbeFi Video by Sean Molloy and Taylor Griffith