Hope Freeland, Charla Robertson, and Dr. Colleen Delaney
Southeastern Ventura County, at the intersection of the mountains and the coastal plains, and close to Mugu Lagoon and the Santa Barbara Channel, provided a place of shelter, sustenance, and spirituality for Chumash peoples past and present. Using archaeological data, literature reviews, and discussions with members of the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, we summarize the varied activities and beliefs of the Chumash and their ancestors, both past and present. In particular, we highlight the importance of water to the Chumash and discuss the past natural and cultural landscapes of the CSUCI campus. Historically known as Rancho Guadalasca, this past landscape of freshwater ponds and wetlands is unrecognizable today after a 100+ years of land alterations and drainage channels. Finally, we discuss the importance of Mugu Lagoon, as well as sathwiwa, not only as a source of food and materials, but also as a special place culturally, socially, politically, and spiritually.