April 20, 2004

CHUMASH EARTH DAY FOUNDER
HONORED IN SANTA BARBARA

Akima "Rick" Castaneda, a unity leader of the Coastal Band of the
Chumash, was honored by Olympic Skier Suzy "Chapstick" Chaffee on
April 18, in Santa Barbara for being a founder of Earth Day. Earth lovers
and dancers, singers, drummers from other tribes and cultures joined
Akima in a spirited opening prayer to the Four Directions at the Sunken
Gardens of the court house.

Navajo Bill Avilez and Apesanahkwat, former Chairman of Menomenee Tribe dancing at Santa Barbara's Earth Day.

Chaffee told Castaneda as she presented him with a huge red heart
full of chocolates, "On behalf of Mother Earth and all Her Children and
Creatures, I want to honor you, as well as the people of Santa Barbara,
for being a founder of Earth Day in 1970." "When oil slicked seagulls
showed up seeking food on the football field at our junior high school
after Santa Barbara's oil spill in 1969, I knew I had to do something,"
said Akima.

"Castaneda is an example of how youth can be so powerful in deciding
your future," said Chaffee, a co-founder of Native American Olympic Team Foundation
(NVF), a partnership of US Tribal leaders and Olympians to help
preserve Nature's playgrounds for future generations. "Children have
become the environmental teachers for the family. Each of us have a
unique gift to give back to the greater good, and that's what makes you
feel great inside. In the eyes of Creator, you're bigger than Brittany
Spears," said Akima who went on to star in Hidalgo, Dr. Quinn
Medicine Woman and Comedy Central's "That's My Bush."

Stars of Santa Barbara's Earth Day, Sky Bear, Jeanette, and Solange Acosta Aguilar, Akima Castaneda, Suzy Chaffee, Christie Pierson, Mary Piller, and CEC's Antara Blasius

Earth singers like Christie Pierson and Blue Wolf, a popular Chumash
Storyteller, along with the non-profits protecting the Whales, Amazon...,
were brought together by the Community Environmental Council. It
was also supported by local businesses, such as Fess Parker's
Double Tree Inn (Davy Croquett supported tribes in Congress). The
highlight of the day was nine year old Solange Acosta Aguilar (Eagle),
an Apache-Philipino. With her mom Jeanette at her side, she
delivered a State of Earth Message, a cry from Mother Earth and her
children.

Chaffee congratulated the Santa Barbara community, including its
enlightened stars like her friend, the late Lloyd Bridges, "for preserving
its natural beauty and integrity. It's also beautiful how you have
recognized the contributions of the Chumash in being the First
Caretakers who kept this region pristine for the last 12,000 years. The
tribes are America's Treasures, who carry the wisdom and values we
need again to survive and thrive. "

"Their ceremonies remind us of our ancient European earth-honoring
ancestors. In visiting my English roots near Glastonbury and
Stonehenge, I met a Druid-in-training, and found out they are alive, and
we can reconnect with them on www.druidry.com. And thanks to Mary
Piller, a Viking who is helping NVF organize a celebrity ski event next
season honoring the Washoe and Paiutes at Tahoe's Heavenly Valley,
I learned that the Vikings, like Jesus, Moses and the Hebrew Essenes
and Native Americans... all used the same sacred Four Directions
Prayer. We are all one!" said Suzy.

Contact: NVF: 970-9225406, suzynativevoices@aol.com, For more
info:www.nativecvoices.org