Northern Chumash Tribal Council

The Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC) is organized as a non-profit corporation under the guidelines of the state of California Senate Bill 18.

The NCTC mission is to offer a foundation for the Chumash people of San Luis Obispo County to bring our culture and heritage back to life, create dignity with the people, educate the public that the Chumash have always been here, we have not gone anywhere, and we will always be here, one continuum. We are the Chumash of over 20,000 years of habitation in San Luis Obispo County.

When we walk back in time and space to a time 25,000 years ago when we were in the last ice age, the coast line was located 6 to 13 miles to the west from it's current position and 300 feel lower. Saber Tooth Tigers roamed the land with the mega Lions, Mastodons, Mammoths, Buffalos, Eagles, Bears, Whales, Seal Lions, and many more animals that were very incredibly large. The Chumash people lived with these animals - they were part of our family. The land was covered with giant Redwoods and Oaks, the temperatures were cooler, and the land was lush with all types of flora and fauna. For over 20,000 years the Chumash and other California Native Americans lived in peace and gave ceremony to the Great Mystery.

Today the Northern Chumash Tribal Council is involved in consultation with County and Local Governments to improve the respect for our cultural resources and to improve the quality of archaeology performed during the evaluation given to our ancestors during the decision making process for land use issues in San Luis Obispo County. This will offer a more complete project analysis for the protection of "Cultural Places and Sacred Sites". NCTC is also working with the development community to assist them in the planning process so that we better understand each others' concerns.
The Northern Chumash Tribal Council is looking at self sustainability through working within the community. NCTC has leased land to start our organic farm. We will be self-reliant through agriculture and businesses in the community and not from a casino. NCTC is not looking for Federal recognition, we are not waiting for anyone to give us anything. We understand that if we work together with common goals we will be able to achieve our vision.