[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 82 (Friday, May 10, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO VIOLET SAGE WALKER--CALIFORNIA'S 24TH CONGRESSIONAL WOMAN OF 
                                THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SALUD O. CARBAJAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 10, 2024

  Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, each year, through the Women of the Year 
Award, my office extends special recognition to women on the Central 
Coast who have made a difference in our community. I would like to 
recognize one outstanding Women of the Year Award recipient, Violet 
Sage Walker of San Luis Obispo, California.
  Violet is the chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council 
(NCTC), a non-profit offering a foundation for the Chumash people of 
San Luis Obispo County to continue practicing their heritage and 
culture with dignity and vibrancy. She assumed the position after the 
passing of her father, Native American Tribal Chief Fred Harvey 
Collins, on October 1, 2021, and continues to advance Chumash heritage 
and culture in partnership with a broad community of Tribal allies, 
conservation organizations, and others.
  As leader of the NCTC, Violet's mission is to protect the sacred 
places for those who were here long ago, for those here now, and for 
those who are still coming. The Central Coast is home to many sacred 
locations that are mentioned in Chumash oral tradition which include 
stories (saga' squatinas'ni) and context over the past 15,000 years, 
including an older recorded date at Point Conception, an extremely 
important Chumas Sacred Place known to Native Americans as the Western 
Gate (Humqaq).
  For Violet, one of those duties is serving as the nominator of the 
proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the first 
Indigenous-led sanctuary nomination and one that tribal elders and 
members of the local community in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara 
counties have advocated for decades. As proposed, this sanctuary 
bridges the physical gap of protection between the Monterey Bay and 
Channel Islands national marine sanctuaries. It will enhance the 
lifeforce (tishwin) of coastal ocean waters and shorelines by 
integrating and engaging the traditional knowledge of the indigenous 
People in partnership with scientists, environmental public interest 
groups, and diverse members of the concerned public.
  So far. the proposal has received an overwhelmingly positive 
response, and the plan is to provide formal designation by mid-2024.
  Violet's continued leadership to the Chumash people and the San Luis 
Obispo/Santa Barbara County community is an inspiration to men and 
women throughout the district. Her ongoing efforts ensure that the 
heritage and legacy of the Chumash are respected and will endure for 
generations to come.
  I am honored to recognize Violet Sage Walker for her continued 
commitment to the Central Coast. I ask all Members to join me today in 
honoring an exceptional woman of California's 24th Congressional 
District for her incredible work in the community.

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