Chumash Leader Warns of Devastating Consequences from Increased Oil Production in Santa Barbara Channel

Mati Waiya, Chairman of the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation and Founder of Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation, is deeply concerned about the future of offshore oil production in the Santa Barbara Channel. He believes that efforts to increase oil production could cause irreversible harm to the local environment.

In an interview with KCLU, Waiya emphasized that protecting the coastline is not just an environmental issue, but also a matter of cultural significance for Indigenous people like him whose voices are often overlooked. Waiya stated, 'The sounds of the waves is the voice of our ancestors,' and he sang from his heart to remind us of how we must take care of our world together.

Waiya worries that the federal efforts to control California's coastline could ultimately lead to another devastating oil spill off this coastline. He pointed out that, despite the recent rejection of a proposal for fracking at 16 offshore wells at Platform Gilda, the platform may still pose a risk due to its age and potential corrosion.

The Chumash Nation has been stewards of the coastline for thousands of years, and Waiya is not only fighting for the present but also for future generations. He explained that his 'encyclopedia' of knowledge comes from nature itself, in stones, earth, water, and seasons, rather than written by outsiders.