Mati Waiya

Mati’s lifelong dedication to cultural preservation, environmental justice, and community empowerment makes him a powerful and visionary leader for the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation. His deep roots in Chumash traditions, combined with decades of experience in advocacy, education, and stewardship, uniquely position him to guide our Nation through today’s complex cultural and ecological challenges.

Mati is the founder of the Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation, an organization that serves as a "rainbow bridge," connecting Indigenous wisdom with contemporary environmental and cultural challenges throughout Chumash territories. By offering educational programs, legal advocacy, and cultural preservation initiatives, the foundation promotes a sustainable and inclusive future for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

Deeply rooted in Indigenous teachings, Mati has dedicated his life to the protection of California’s coastal lands and waters, blending traditional Chumash values with modern environmental justice work. In 2000, he founded Ventura Coastkeeper, becoming the 11th member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. As Coastkeeper, he continues to lead efforts to restore and defend coastal and inland waterways, protect sacred sites, and hold polluters accountable—ensuring that clean water remains a right for all beings.

Through community education, cultural ceremonies, legal action, and environmental stewardship, Mati continues to uplift Chumash perspectives in the fight for ecological balance and Indigenous rights. His work bridges generations, connecting ancestral knowledge with urgent contemporary challenges. In addition to his environmental work, Waiya serves on the Board of Directors of the Center for Biological Diversity, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places, reflecting his ongoing commitment to biodiversity and environmental justice.