Finding Connection Beneath the Waves: A Chumash and Tongva Diving Journey

Story by Allukoy Newton

Thanks to the Reef Check Foundation, a group of young Chumash and Tongva students, including myself, embarked on a transformative journey to become certified scuba divers. After completing coursework and dive sessions, we earned our Open Water Diver Certifications, and recently, both cohorts advanced to our next certification level. As Cheyenne Green, a fellow diver, reflected: "Connecting with our native animals, native plants and each other, I loved it all and will cherish the experience forever."

Our training began online with comprehensive reading materials, instructional videos, and integrated quizzes that tracked our progress. This digital approach proved invaluable since many of us lived apart and couldn't regularly gather for group study, allowing us to engage with the material and prepare for our in-water challenges.

The initial pool sessions marked my first in-person meeting with most of the group—surprisingly, a few were distant cousins. Having grown up in Oregon, I hadn't spent much time with my California community, and I initially felt intimidated by the group's energy and familiarity with one another. However, we quickly bonded, braiding each other's hair, sharing snacks, and chatting so enthusiastically that our instructors had to urge us into the pool to begin our training. I felt an immediate sense of belonging—my presence acknowledged, my contributions valued. My cohort consisted primarily of young women who, like me, brought existing knowledge and demonstrated an eagerness to learn that I found profoundly inspiring. Our days concluded with all of us, hair still damp and noses sunburnt, crowding into In-N-Out Burger, ordering meals on the instructors' tab.

Visiting Pimu (Santa Catalina Island) was a new experience for me. I had only been to Limuw (Santa Rosa Island) a handful of times as a young child, so returning to the islands filled me with excitement, especially alongside peers who shared my enthusiasm. Earning our Open Water Diver certifications off Pimu's shore became one of the most enlightening experiences—both literally and figuratively—that many of us had ever encountered. As Skyler Green expressed, "Seeing the fish swim around and being able to be right next to them is such an honorable experience." Being immersed in such an alien environment, relying solely on one another, presented challenges we quickly learned to face. In just weeks, we had mastered breathing underwater, sharing oxygen with buddies, recovering lost items, and rescuing fellow divers—all while fifteen or twenty feet below the surface, mentally reviewing procedures and trying to absorb our surroundings.

I remember moments of intensity: breathing heavily and kicking to maintain position as sediment and bubbles clouded the water, dodging fins that nearly struck my mask. When I'd drift backward to avoid collision, my tank would occasionally tap against rocks, triggering momentary panic as I imagined the unlikely scenario of my oxygen tank exploding. But our instructor would regain our attention, and we'd follow her like a line of ducklings—or rather, a school of fish. Soon she'd guide us to slower breathing patterns and have us signal "I'm OK" with the standard hand gesture. As Isa Saldivar wisely noted, "You learn pretty fast in scuba diving to hold the water in reverence, and to trust the people around you to keep you safe."

Both the pool sessions and open-water days began with early mornings, but abundant snacks and positive energy made them enjoyable. Initially, the packed schedules seemed overwhelming—gear checks, dives, and brief bathroom breaks scheduled back-to-back from breakfast until dinner. Yet we quickly found our rhythm, completing tasks efficiently amid constant encouragement and laughter that rippled through our group like waves.

Scuba diving's buddy system became a foundation for connection as we paired up to perform safety checks on each other's equipment and monitor one another's mental and physical well-being. Throughout the pool sessions and ocean dives at Pimu, we formed deep bonds with our buddies and diving groups, developing mutual trust and learning to care for each other's safety.

Toipureena Carmelo, another cohort member, eloquently captured the significance of our experience: "I think it's really important as a California coast Native to be connected with the ocean, underwater animals, and plants. Diving, especially on Pimu gave me that opportunity and experience to feel more close and connected with who I am as an Indigenous person and with my ancestors. Diving has also helped me get closer with other coastal Natives and create close relationships and friendships within my community."