It was refreshing to read about the city of Lompoc honoring the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Native Americans on Arbor Day, by planting a tree in the “Recognition Grove” for their generous public service.
Although the Chumash employ more than 1,600 workers, donated more than $18 million to more than 700 nonprofit organizations, and have a tradition of honoring their ancestors by reaching out to neighbors and caring for their community, this is the first public recognition, in recent memory, of the good this group of Americans bring to Santa Barbara County and its residents. Thanks to the city of Lompoc leadership for doing the right thing when it may not be “politically correct.”
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 7, 2016.