Map shows land consolidation area for Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, including proposed trust land acquisition. Image from Camp 4 Fee-to-Trust Environmental Assessment
Newspaper calls on local officials to work with Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians on a government-to-government basis:
Finally, someone in the Santa Ynez Valley seems to be making a goodwill gesture aimed at improving relations between the Chumash tribe and its neighbors. Tribal Chairman Vincent Armenta dropped an unexpected bombshell at last week’s Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting when he announced the Chumash are withdrawing their already-approved, 11,500-acre land-acquisition plan. In Armenta’s words, the move is “not to appease anyone who opposes us just to oppose us.” OK, so maybe the tribe’s goodwill gesture came with a hint of sarcasm, but it was at least an effort to bridge a gap between the Chumash and their Valley neighbors that has been widening dramatically in recent years.Get the Story:
Editorial: First step is always the toughest (The Lompoc Record 10/20) Related Stories:
Editorial: Compromise goes missing in war with Chumash Tribe (10/17)
County votes to fight Chumash Tribe land-into-trust application (10/16)
Groups take Chumash Tribe's land consolidation plan to IBIA (10/10)
Opinion: Chumash land-into-trust plan raises fairness issues (10/9)
BIA grants extension on Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust bid (10/8)
Join the Conversation