By Mike Johnson
The City Council may have been slightly uninformed when choosing a Chumash name for the road near PCH (SMDP, March 11, page 1). The Chumash lived on coastal areas in what we now know as Santa Barbara County, their furthest southern influence being the natural boundary of Malibu Creek. The Los Angeles basin up through Topanga and into Malibu was occupied by Gabrielino Indians (different language and culture from Chumash). A record of the Portola Expedition of 1769 gives great descriptions of these people. The Gabrielino-Tongva may be reached online and will be most bemused by the city of Santa Monica’s ignorance.
Somewhat bemused myself.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 16, 2004. Read the original PDF.