UCSB sits atop the traditional Chumash village site of Heli’yuk.
Home to the Chumash people for thousands of years, the village of Heli’yuk overlooked
the Goleta slough, which until recent times was a deep harbor for the fleets of
Chumash tomols (redwood plank canoes) used in sea trade up and down the Central
Coast. Along with the people of the village Syuxtun (Santa Barbara), the wealthy
family groups of S’apxilil, Helo’ and Heli’yuk facilitated trade and the spread
of philosophical, medical, and mathematical ideas far and wide.
The UCSB campus
mesa and the Goleta slough area was one of the most densely populated areas in precolonial
North America. In the mouth of what was then a lagoon (and what is now a salt marsh
slough and sewage plant) sat a remarkable landform, an oak-dotted island in the
marsh upon which was situated the village of Helo’. Slightly further to the east
of this island sat another village called S’apxilil. Close by each of these villages
were located burial grounds, most of which have been completely destroyed by development.
The village of Heli’yik has long been a site of learning. While the Chumash ancestors,
like most cultures that live close to the land for their survival, took a much more
integrated approach to the study of marine and terrestrial life, philosophy, history,
religion, language, and art, we can still appreciate the current locations of our
campus’ various disciplines as being along a continuum of learning in this beautiful
and diverse place.
Abridged version of a paper courtesy of Julianne Cordero Lamb,
UCSB Religious Studies graduate student and member of the Coastal Band of Chumash
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