Wishtoyo was very fun and interesting .My favorite part about being at Wishtoyo was going kayaking at the island and going to the beach early in the morning.At wishtoyo we had a debate and watched a movie about The Doctrine of Discovery.I also got to shuck an abalone.
To me, Wishtoyo is a place where you can heal spiritually and mentally. It’s a place where you can have bonds with people you thought you would never talk to. The laughter you will share with close friends that soon turn into a family. Wishtoyo to me is a place that you can call home, even though you’re not from there. When someone says the word “Wishtoyo” I can smell the smoke from the fire in the circle where words of wisdom has been spoken. I can hear the waves crashing on the beach and feel the soft warm sand under my feet. I’ve learned that you can’t take life for granted and live your life to the fullest. A wise man said when you’re born and you cry and scream for the first time, that is the sound of freedom and you shape your own path to your journey to your next chapter. I also met this amazing friend from last year. R.I.P. Sho Shoi
We have arrived at Wishtoyo everyone was happy to see Mati and Chumash family. Im so thankful for being there. I’ve have learned a lot at Wishtoyo, got to see dolphins, It was a great experience, got to ride in my first boat ride, pretty exciting. At Limuw I had lost my flipper when I went snorkeling. Me and James had a nice little workout when we went kayaking. It was just a great experience during the past few days in wishtoyo. It was also a sad day in wishtoyo, when Sho Shoi past away, she was family to Mati and his family. She will be missed. R.I.P Sho Shoi
One day I went to an island and I got to go on a boat all the way there and it took over an hour. I saw dolphins on the way there. While I was there I saw a fox and it was cool and I wanted to steal it but I couldn’t. Then I went kayaking and it was really cool because we went into a little cave and I learned how to kayak. I learned how to turn and all that other stuff. I saw a cool crab that was the same color as the seaweed. After that I went snorkeling but it was very cold so I was shivering but it was still cool seeing some cool fish.Then when we were going home I saw seals.
At Wishtoyo we camped there for a few days and nights. During the first day we went to the beach and got hit with lots of rocks because of the current continued to push in rocks on and off the sand. Then I really loved it how we would always cook with or for each other. When we served the elders there we learned that it is important for the oldest sick young pregnant and ect. When we went to the island it was fun because we got to snorkel in the water and kayak. I enjoyed how we all got to see dolphins and a whale on the way to the island and back to the mainland. Finally I am happy to give sho-shoi a good time before she passed away.
I am now back from Wishtoyo which means rainbow in the Chumash language. Wishtoyo is one of few places which has managed to preserve much the culture from the natives of that area. For the most part the place is unaffected and tries its best to stay that way. The Chumash people are currently involved in a fight for the channel islands which was originally theirs. Many lessons were taught, but the most important of them was to fight to keep your culture alive. The Chumash like many native nations are still alive and are adapting alongside society with them being ahead in some cases. Many native nations were already aware and grateful for their resources which is something that most countries are having a tough time grasping. This is what makes Wishtoyo (Rainbow) a truly sacred place.
When i first got to Wishtoyo and saw the tents and the beautiful view of the ocean i had a sense of relief. Mostly because i was tired of being in the bus, just kidding. I was relieved at the fact that i get to see the ocean again and maybe even see some dolphins in the ocean. On the second day of being at Wishtoyo, we went to the Limuw and i Kayaked and Snorkeled for the first time in my life. While kayaking, i was scared because my friend Isaac was messing around and was rocking the kayak and almost made it flip. While snorkeling, i was just scared to get caught in kelp or meet a creature that wouldn’t be that comforting to be face to face with. Snorkeling was fun tho, i saw creatures that i haven’t seen before in person. Anyways on the way to Limuw, i saw dolphins for the very first time in person, and it actually brought a smile to my face. But when we came back, i was upset because of certain events and stayed in my tent, but i would hear the songs that everyone was singing and it was actually calming to me. But overall i am happy to have gone to Wishtoyo again, it brought me knowledge and understanding.
Hello Fellow Readers, I haven’t blogged over the past few days due to having no connection with the blog but a lot has happened for example our trip to Wishtoyo which was amazing and beautiful. During our trip we traveled to the home island of the Chumash people, learned new songs, learned about laws that only apply to Native Americans, and more about the doctrine of discovery( domination). When we were arriving to the islands I will never forget about the dolphins playing in front of the boat. On the island we went kayaking which was a new experience for me and I am glad I went because the scenery was absolutely breath-taking, we also went snorkeling. But good times unfortunately come to an end but I will cherish my time at the village.
today was fun. we got to do the indigenous games and we got to learn how to take away a weapon. we also got to make some baskets. It was fun to make the baskets because i made one last year and i use it for my coins. the one i made this year i am going to give it to my sister. washtoyo was fun to i liked the swimming part was fun. we also did kayak. i had fun on the way to the island where we did the swimming and kayaking.
nativeyouth2college.org 