Humaliwu brothers,
I saw the political cartoon in the Malibu Surfside News: Ant 1: "Some folks who favor this project call themselves the Humaliwu Brothers!" Ant 2: "I wonder whether they asked the local Chumash people what they think about that?"
Well, on June 1, 2012, 4 elders of the Chumash nation came down to the Malibu Lagoon to pray to the Great Spirit for blessing over the Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project. Mati Waiya told those of us watching the ceremony that he gives prayer and blessing to those who are undergoing surgery so that their health will improve. He went on to say that the Lagoon is very sick and that it needs surgery in order to return to the health that it once had before the encroachment of the current denizens of Humaliwu.
These photos only touch upon the great feeling of spritual uplifting that I received from the beautiful ceremony. Only about 5 people witnessed this touching experience. None of the Obstructionists or opponents of the Malibu Lagoon Restoration project cared to even be present at this event. One of the elders, David Paul Dominguez, remarked to me, "Where are those opponents of this good project? They're making noise on the highway and carrying signs, but why aren't they concerned with the cleanliness of this lagoon? I was here on Earth Day, and all those same opponents were doing the same thing on the highway, but they weren't down here picking up all the trash you see here as you look around. Only the children who came in buses were cleaning this lagoon up."
Another Elder, Kote Lotah, pointed to all the trash in the lagoon remarking, "Ah, here are the artifacts of the recent habitants of the Humaliwu".
Elder Peuyoko showed me the chunks of concrete and large chunks of asphalt embedded in the strata of earth eroded on the banks of the lagoon saying, "These opponents of this good project are saying that the lagoon doesn't need cleaning. Look at all these things that leak harmful chemicals into this once clean water."
I spent time talking with the elders, saying how much I detested and fought against the ceremonial hill being developed into a huge $35 million estate above Surfrider Beach. They all shared their sadness about this blight upon their tribal home.
But I did ask them if we, the Humaliwu Brothers, have their blessing and have their permission to use their Chumash name in our efforts. They shook my hand and hugged me and assured me that we are doing what their land is entitled to and that we indeed are brothers of the Humaliwu.
Your brother,
Ken Seino