Youth Civic Engagement Fair 2024 

I am a tribal elder with the Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indiuans.  I am a traditional storyteller, an Indigenous educator, an Indigenous monitor/consultant, a spiritual adviser, a traditional paddler and builder of Chumash canoes, aka tomols.  I am a published author of four Native American story books.

My indigenous family has traced our ancestry to the Chumash village of Ta’apu, now known as Simi Valley, Ca and the Tataviam village of Chaguayanga near Castaic, Ca.  We are Ventureno Chumash and Fernandeno Tataviam.  My ancestors were brought into the San Fernando Mission starting in 1799. I actively protect my ancestors village sites and tribal territories, as a monitor and cultural resource advisor.

I am a founding member of the Chumash Maritime Association and am actively involved with several other Native American groups.

As a member of the Chumash Maritime Association I helped build the first working traditional Chumash plank canoe in modern times and have paddled in this plank canoe for over 27 years. I am currently overseeing the construction of two tomols for the Ventura Chumash community. It has been over 180 years since Chumash tomols (canoes) have been built in Ventura.

    Finally, sharing my tribal stories and mentoring the next generation of storytellers is one of the most important goals as a tribal elder. I have devoted most of my adult life to working with young people. 

My life experiences have exposed me to many different cultures and peoples. I was raised to be proud of my Native American heritage and I take pride in being a positive role model and a respected Elder.  

 Sincerely,  Alan Salazar – Puchuk Ya’ia’c (Fast Runner)

A first-generation college student, and first-generation American, I use the history of my family and my people to bring awareness to the struggles under a capitalist rule and initiate change through student and community organizing.