katherinejefferson Chumash, Uncategorized, Wishtoyo Village

Wishtoyo- Kat’s reflections

First, words can not explain how closely related I feel to my Chumash people. Mati, Luhui, Auntie Georgie, Auntie Mena, Uncle Johnny, Nana, Uncle Ray, Leah (and Mateo), Sergio, Sarah, Kotes, Joe, Shoshoy, Sumo, and Ashk’a. Coming from another Coast Salish area and visiting with the Chumash who are also from the coast is absolutely amazing and such a blessing. The last three years in this program, I made a family and a home at Wishtoyo. It truly is a Rainbow, and I could follow it forever. The Turtle and Dolphin clan, I feel are gonna be my forever family. So many stories and teachings are stuck in my mind and I hope I never forget them. Songs, stories, teachings, blessings, prayers, gifts, creations, laughs, FOOD, scenery, history, love, kindness, traditions, and so much more are given to you when you go to Wishtoyo. Humaliwu, also known as Malibu, is the original homelands of the Chumash and we are always welcomed with open arms.

Right after I typed this paragraph above, my computer shut off and I thought I lost all my writing just now. I couldn’t stop myself from crying because I put my heart into it. It was a paragraph I could have written again but it just meant so much too me. The effect that Wishtoyo has had on me, its like I can’t even handle losing just a little piece of it. The memories and people that are now part of my life mean the world too me. I know there are going to be more journeys to Lemu, Wishtoyo, and Humaliwu. Thank you too my family, and friends from the rainbow.

You’re forever my family,

I love you all

Hysh’qe

Panamea

Thank you,

Kat

 

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vickeycohen 2017, Azteca, Mexica

Victor: Wishtoyo

We arrived to Wishtoyo and were welcomed by the Wishtoyo family. We all gave each other hugs and greeted each other. We then all had lunch together and talked to each other and enjoying the food. After that we had some free time, I decided to just gaze off into the sunset and write some things in my journal.we then had dinner which was delicious and after that, Mati talked about the Chumash culture all the way through until bedtime, which I enjoyed and took in every moment of it. Woke up the next morning, we went to the beach, didn’t do much but chill out and catch some California sun. After that I did 2 different activities before dinner which were Sacred Geometry, Which i was really into and I also made a traditional abalone necalce. We had burritos for dinner, which made me feel at home again, I was starting to grow a connection to Wishtoyo. Unfortunately I did not go to the sweat lodge due to not hydrating enough prior to it, so I just watched the stars and thought about people in my life for a bit and went to bed.I felt somewhat emotional the next morning because we were leaving Wishtoyo, but before we left, we got to surf at the beach, which for me resulted in getting a bad sunburn on my back and neck and also before we left, we had one final lunch in Wishtoyo… We said our goodbyes to everyone there and has we were going out the gate of Wishtoyo, the people we had met there sung a song and prayed for us, It made me emotional in the inside. We got back to Pitzer College and we were late for dinner… Soooo while we were in Music Scoring class, our mentors got us all In-N-Out!!! So right after an hour spent in an awesome music class, we had our food and went to bed.

kylerodriguez63 Chumash, Field Trips, Uncategorized

Kyle’s Wishtoyo Experience

 

It all started when I arrived at Wishtoyo. The welcoming was Mati and Luhui singing a welcoming song. I felt like I was at home when I first got there. The chumash village had such good energy. On the first day after we arrived we had gone done to the beach to soak our feet. Then we were served this amazing dinner by nana. The food was delicious because nana had put so much love in it. Then came the second day. We started by having breakfast and then going down to the beach to go boogy boarding. We were also able to go surfing. Even though it was hard the first couple of times i was able to pick it up pretty fast. Then we came back to the village for lunch and then we participated in activities like making necklaces and learning sacred geometry. Towards the end of the night we began to prepare for a sweat. then came the time for the sweat. I was prepared for it but I still knew it would be tough. I was able to last for 2 out of 3 rounds. In all together Wishtoyo was awesome and great

 

 

eshulter2238 Uncategorized

Giving Thanks!

One of the themes that has been present throughout the program so far is giving thanks, whether to our Elders, before eating a meal, or when we wake up in the morning.

So now it is time to give thanks to our funders. Because of their generosity and faith in the program, we can offer unique opportunities for our Native youth this summer and beyond.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has been a strong and continual supporter of the Pipeline Program since day 1!

Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians has also seen that the vision and mission of the Pipeline Program is one to support for the future generations.

Lummi Nation and the Lummi Youth Academy are both recent but strong supporters of the Pipeline Program, entrusting us with a big group of their students. Thank you!

Thank you to both the Assistance League of Bellingham and the Whatcom Community Foundation for supporting the travel and journeys of the Lummi girls as they learn and grow.

The CHIAT FOUNDATION – one of our small local foundations, the Chiat Foundation has supported the program continuously. Thank you for choosing to support small and local!

These Individual Donors from Washington State who have generously supported the travels and experiences of the Lummi students.

Deborah L Granger
C.A. Peter Granger
Donald Paulson
Claudia Callahan
Ursula Zvilna
Beth Brownfield
Gary Piazzon
Dianne Deseck Piazzon

The Wishtoyo Foundation is responsible for the Chumash Village in Malibu, CA. We have teamed up with Wishtoyo since 2013 to spend a few days at the Village learning about marine science and Chumash culture. They have been amazing hosts and the food is always the best. Thank you for always hosting us in a good way.

 Our continual host campus and organization – Pitzer College. More specifically, the Community Engagement Center has been our command base and the Dean of Faculty’s Office has supported our endeavors as well. Gloria Gold – Hello Gold Center next to our dorm! – has also generously supported the Pipeline Program in its mission to educate Native youth.

 
Western University of Health Sciences is our partner in the program and helps us with getting grants and managing funding. They also provide the awesome and interesting health science curriculum. So far we have learned about genetics and diseases, both fascinating topics and good introductions into the health fields.