Wishtoyo - Projects - Educational - Nicholas Canyon Chumash Demonstration Village

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Nicholas Canyon Chumash Demonstration Village

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Chumash Demonstration Village Project

Wishtoyo Foundation
in Partnership with
L. A. County Dept. Beaches and Harbors

Wishtoyo Foundation's Chumash Demonstration Village Project will consist of the creation of an outdoor working Native American village on a four-acre site at Nicholas Canyon County Beach in Malibu, creating the only living Chumash cultural village of its kind in Southern California. The village will be constructed on property owned and managed by Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors. Wishtoyo has been granted a lease and Right of Entry for the site. Click for Project Update.

Wishtoyo, together with members of the Santa Clara Valley River Chumash Turtle Clan, will construct the village using traditional methods and materials.This unique project's goal is to raise awareness of Native American people's relationship with the environment through reenactments of life in a typical Chumash village. The project will create an outdoor living history museum that uses replicas of Chumash homes (aps), canoes (tomols), tools and handicrafts, as well as ceremonies and celebrations, offering schoolchildren and the general public a unique, multi-sensory experience of a living Chumash Village. Wishtoyo's joint Restoration project, planned for Nicholas Canyon Creek (adjacent to Village site) will add an opportunity for hands-on participation by visitors so that they too can feel their own personal connection with nature at the ancient site.

Wishtoyo Foundation commissioned a literature review and archaeological assessment of the project site, which confirmed that the area is the historic home of Chumash Native Americans. Eight Chumash prehistoric archeological sites were recorded within a half-mile of the project radius and artifacts were observed throughout the project site. Prehistoric artifacts and burials indicate that occupation of the area occurred as early as 4000-6000 BC. (Chester King, Archaeological Reconnaissance and Recommendations for Preservations of Archaeological Remains at Nicholas Canyon County Beach, April 8, 2001, p.4.)

The Chumash are considered to have been one of the most complex non-agricultural societies; for example, the Chumash maintained the most complex bead money system that has been documented anywhere in the world. During the mission period, many Chumash adopted Spanish surnames to hide their identity and avoid relocation to the missions. Since the Chumash have no written language, there are few birth records or other documents identifying Chumash people, and as a result, many Latino residents in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties today, unknowingly have a Chumash heritage.

The unique aspect of the proposed project is the focus on raising awareness of the Chumash culture by providing visitors with opportunities to observe and participate in the village events. Visitors to the village will be transported to the early 1800's, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of a Chumash village. Tours around the property will explain a typical day in a Chumash village, demonstrating how houses were built, clothes were made and food was prepared using the available natural resources. Ceremonial leaders will explain the Native American's reliance upon and respect for the natural surroundings in discussions, dances, songs and storytelling. Solstice and other celebrations will be marked by special ceremonies, as was done in ancient times, performed by Dolphin Dancers from the Santa Clara Valley River Chumash Turtle Clan. The village tour will highlight a culture that lived in balance with nature and reinforce the need to change contemporary behaviors that all too often damage the environment.

Upon completion, the village will be open to the general public for guided tours and will include opportunities for participation in handicrafts and ceremonies. On-site cultural appreciation and environmental awareness programs will be offered to elementary school students in the Los Angeles County and Ventura County School Districts. The village site is easily accessible by car from Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, with extensive public parking available.