INDIGENOUS WATERCRAFT SEES REVIVAL

By Brayden Stephenson

What goes unseen is a culture that’s been dormant for centuries, pushed aside by Spanish missionaries in the 1700s and further buried by westward expansion in the 1800s and 1900s. The original ocean people of California have been suppressed to the point of invisibility, and their influence largely forgotten, but efforts are underway to bring back traditional watercraft through cultural revitalization along the Southern California coast and even in Lake Tahoe.

Santa Barbara

Chumash Elder Alan Salazar is among those leading the effort of traditional Indigenous canoe revitalization in the Santa Barbara area.

In 2001, Salazar and his community completed the first of 13 crossings to Santa Cruz Island from the mainland in traditional tomol canoes. These traditional canoes were made from redwood trees that drifted down the coast from Northern California. After four years of preparation, paddle training and construction of the tomol, Salazar and a group of paddlers set out to channel the spirit of their ancestors for the 20mile journey. The paddle marked the first crossing via traditional canoes in more than 150 years.

“We left at 3:45 am and I was in the first crew. To be in that first crew, to paddle out of the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, and get out into open water was something special,” Salazar says. “It was dark and overcast that day. There were no stars and no moon. We had two support boats to lead the way but they were far in the distance. We wanted to experience open-water paddling at night.”

“We called the first crew that leaves at 3:45 am, ‘Dark Water Paddlers,’ and that’s an honor because they’re our most experienced members. They paddle the longest, for at least three hours, so it’s hard physical paddling, but it’s kind of a spiritual rush.”

Since those first crossings, Salazar has been working to connect with tribes and canoe communities throughout the nation, revitalizing canoe culture in a way that transcends tribes. In a recent project with

Opposite page, top to bottom: Discussing making paddles with one of Salazar’s fellow paddlers (Tim Davis / Patagonia); Front ears of Muptami, the Santa Ynez Chumash tomol (Tim Davis / Patagonia); Paddles used for practices and crossings. Note the third paddle from the bottom – that is the navigator’s. It is larger because it is used like a rudder (Tim Davis Patagonia). This page: Tomol practice with Salazar, the paddler in the front. The number 1 paddler sets the pace and is the eyes for the navigator in the back of the tomol (Tim Davis / Patagonia) outdoor brand Patagonia, based in nearby Ventura, Salazar and other Ventura-based tomol builders have set out to build two more tomol canoes, slated for completion this summer.

While the original Chumash used shark fins to sand the tomol canoes, Salazar and his community implement a combination of modern and traditional techniques.

“I’m excited to build these tomols here in Ventura because the Indigenous community has pretty much been left behind in Ventura,” Salazar says. “So, to end my paddling career, I’m going to help build these two canoes here in Ventura. It will probably be the first time in 180 years since any traditional Chumash canoes have been built in the Ventura area.”

“My attitude, and that of the leaders that I’m working with, is that we want to bring in all people of the ocean. We don’t want just North American tribal people, we want canoe people from all over the world.”

San Diego

Moving down the coastline into Kumeyaay territory in modern-day San Diego, calmer waters allowed people to travel the coast in tule reed canoes, as opposed to the longer, wooden tomols up north. Tule-style canoes have been used throughout the world by Indigenous cultures. While construction methods vary, all tule canoes were built of reeds and other plant materials.

The San Diego based non-profit Native Like Water works to bring back Native representation in surfing and ocean engagement through their youth programs that include, among other things, the building and paddling of traditional tule canoes.

Native Like Water founder, Marc Chavez, says building traditional watercraft is a way to plant a seed that connects the present to the past — a hands on, practical way to reintroduce Indigenous representation in San Diego’s ocean culture.

“A lot of things have squashed our cultural presences, especially real estate,” he says. “So the revitalization of traditional water craft, is kind of like weeds growing from concrete in the sense that our culture has been so squashed.”

Working with traditional canoes offers those involved an opportunity to engage with social and environmental issues with a new perspective, one that is rooted in a Native viewpoint that strives for harmony with people and the planet.

“So having Indigenous people be a part of the revitalization of nature is important. Leaving the original coastal people out of the story would be like leaving the whale out of the story of the ocean,” Chavez says.

The 20,000-year-old history of coastal land in California has been misrepresented, but the narrative is changing.

Top row, left to right: Native Like Water students with tule boats during the yearly NLW Community Culture night at La Jolla Shores where traditional bird songs lead the culture to the sea and beyond (Native Like Water); Kumeyaay Bird Singer and Mentor Blue Eagle Vigil pushes NLW Hawaiian exchange student Pua Watson into a wave at La Jolla Shores (Native Like Water). Bottom row, left to right: Tii’at (Tongva Canoe) designed and built by Dr. L Frank Manriequez and the Paxiiwovem Canoe Family (John Dayberry); Ed

Lake Tahoe

John Dayberry is a teacher, skier, surfer, craftsman, and former lift operations manager for Homewood Mountain Resort. Hailing from South Lake Tahoe, Dayberry became fixated on the history and practice of traditional watercraft 15 years ago.

Dayberry sits in his office surrounded by a library of history books. During our interview, he pulls out Tom Blake’s, The Uncommon Journey of a Pioneer Waterman. He cites this text as a key source of inspiration, leading him to understand that contemporary modes of watercraft all stem from Indigenous creation.

His interest in Native watercraft was piqued by a conversation he had with a student in the high school shop class he was teaching. The kid was of the Pomo Tribe, out of Clearlake, CA.

“So, I asked the Pomo student what kind of watercraft his people used, and he said they used tule canoes and they had just built the first one in like a hundred years,” Dayberry says. “So, through that we became interested in the kind of watercraft his tribe was using.”

Then, he realized the Washoe Tribe of Lake Tahoe were most likely using tule reed canoes as well. Dayberry couldn’t find a lot of information about it in the history books, but that didn’t stop him.

His enthusiasm for paddling and Indigenous watercraft was the inspiration for the Lake Tahoe Paddle Festival, held in 2009. It consisted of a combination of traditional Indigenous watercraft as well as state- of-the-art canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards. The festival included a race from South Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay and back.

“’Ancient art to state of the art’ was the term I used, showcasing traditional watercraft and modern ones,” Dayberry says. “We built a tule reed canoe with some Washoe kids at the event, and that was the first time in maybe 100 or so years that the tribe had built tule canoes.”

Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Dayberry connects the cultural revitalization of indigenous canoes to environmental sustainability through what is known as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Looking at environmental issues like climate change through a lens of TEK helps us combine western scientific perspectives with Indigenous perspectives.

“When you start to go deep into Traditional Ecological Knowledge, it transcends normal science and you start to see relationships that are interconnected, and it’s because you’re looking at it from this transdisciplinary angle,” Dayberry says.

All of this discussion about traditional watercraft begs an important question. What do canoes have to do with saving the planet? “When you bring people back to the consciousness of traditional Indigenous people and how they lived in harmony with their environment, you understand why things are so dysfunctional now. All these catastrophic fires and mega snowstorms are because we’ve shifted everything away from our history and our environment. TEK helps us understand this,” Dayberry says.

“Whether it’s for cultural revitalization or environmental stewardship, looking to the traditional understanding of people and their environment is the way forward,” he adds.

Patagonia has featured Alan Salazar in its new film, Chumash Powered, released April 12, 2023. The film highlights Salazar working alongside his Chumash and Ferdandeño Tataviam communities to pass their knowledge to the next generation of tomol builders and paddlers. It also features a call to action, asking volunteers to aid Salazar and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to help build two tomol canoes in Ventura.

How To Catch Wind

Tips for setting sail

By Marissa Neely

To the unknowing, it may seem as if we are rich kids living off a trust fund or perhaps early crypto investors that made it big; neither could be further from the truth. In reality, we are minimalists who work hard and choose a humble lifestyle that often gets tied up in an idea of grandeur. This misconception is often what keeps people from dabbling with sailing since the barrier to entry can be intimidating. But here’s the bestkept secret about sailing: you don’t need deep pockets to get started. There are hundreds of ways to learn how to sail on a budget, because the majority of sailors are on a budget. All it takes is a little research, some time, and a lot of persistence. So, here are some ways you can harness the wind even if you aren’t wealthy:

TAKE A LESSON

If you google “sailing schools” you will find a number of courses designed to help you earn the title of “sailor.” The American Sailing Association (ASA) offers a wide variety of hands-on courses for newbies and experienced sailors, teaching everything from the basics of boating to tactical maneuvering. If you sign up for ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing, you will lay the foundation to become a confident small boat skipper. Check with your local yacht club or sailing club to see if any ASA courses (or equivalents) are offered.

ATTEND AN OPEN HOUSE

Luckily, sailors are social creatures and always looking for an excuse to gather. Therefore, yacht clubs and sailing schools often host open houses where you can get to know the instructors and the boats, and sometimes even go sailing for free. It’s an easy, low-stakes way to see what sailing is all about and meet some sailors that can help answer your questions and maybe even invite you out for a sail. The more boats you step aboard, the better!

Despite our combined experience we are still learning new things every day. That’s one of the most exciting parts of sailing, it never gets stale.

Ask A Friend

Do you know a friend with a boat?

Great! Ask them how they got into sailing or even better, if they would be willing to teach you how to sail. If they are hesitant, ask if they know of anyone that could teach you. This is definitely a bit risky since experience is hit or miss, but it is a more affordable (if not free) option. If you are welcomed aboard, remove your shoes before stepping on and ask what you can bring. If they say nothing you still may want to bring something (snacks, additional clothing, etc). Ask the captain first to make sure there is space — storage comes at a premium aboard some boats and the last thing you want to do is upset the captain!

Charter

Although this is a pricier option, it gives you the opportunity to experience the highs of sailing and exploring new places on a boat with a licensed captain. Tell the charter company beforehand you are interested in becoming a sailor, and maybe they will match you with a captain who is willing to share some knowledge. There are charter companies like West Coast Multihulls in California (and Mexico) that offer charters as well as sailing lessons through ASA, so perhaps tune your search for a company that caters to both chartering and teaching for the chance to get the best of both opportunities. Invite your friends or family and make a vacation out of it.

Boat Shows

Boat shows are a wonderful way to infiltrate the sailing community and make valuable connections that can help get you on the water. Not only are there brand new boats to drool over there are usually sailing school representatives, local yacht clubs, and charter companies handing out fliers and even boat show discounts. Search online for your nearest boat show and add it to your calendar.

Always Something To Learn

Chris grew up in a sailing family and learned how to trim sails before he could walk, but I didn’t even step aboard a sailboat until was 14. Chris was the one who taught me aboard his 21’ sailboat, Geronimo, a boat we still sail today. Since then, have continued to embrace sailing and became a USCG Licensed captain in 2022. However, despite our combined experience we are still learning new things every day. That’s one of the most exciting parts of sailing, it never gets stale.

Marissa Neely and her husband Chris live aboard their 1979 Cheoy Lee 41’ Avocet. They cast off for cruising in 2022 and are now enjoying the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. You can follow their journey on YouTube (Sailing Avocet) or blog site svavocet.com

The art of exploring the ocean depths on a single lung full of air is the fastest growing water sport in the world. And the waters off the coast of California provide the perfect training ground for developing skills that can be enjoyed all over the world.