About Us
Discover Tribal Sacred Waters, Inc, based in San Diego California. As Native Americans, our connection to the ocean is ancient and profound. We're dedicated to traditional California Indian teaching of ocean stewardship. Since time immemorial, we have never surrendered our waterways, as they remain unceded territories of the Indigenous tribes of California.
Our Connection to the Ocean
Our nation asserts our rightful connection to the ocean, seeking to reclaim the privileges that come with it. We are inherently united with the ocean, underscoring the necessity for greater education and understanding of its significance—an understanding that has been integral to our culture since time immemorial.
Our Core Values
Tribal Sacred Waters, Inc is driven by these core values:
1. Respect for the Ocean
We honor the ocean as a living relative and sacred source of life. We recognize that all marine beings, waters, and coastal ecosystems deserve care, gratitude, and protection.
2. Tribal Stewardship
We embrace our responsibility as Indigenous stewards to protect, preserve, and restore the lands, waters, and natural resources entrusted to us by our ancestors.
3. Intergenerational Knowledge
We value the wisdom of our elders and commit to sharing traditional ecological knowledge with future generations to ensure cultural continuity.
4. Empowering One Another
We uplift and support one another through education, mentorship, collaboration, and community engagement, recognizing that our collective strength benefits all.
5. Reciprocity
We believe in giving back to the land and waters that sustain us, maintaining balance through responsible stewardship and respectful use of natural resources.
6. Cultural Integrity
We honor and preserve Indigenous traditions, languages, stories, and cultural practices that strengthen our connection to coastal homelands.
7. Conservation and Restoration
We actively participate in restoring ecosystems, reducing pollution, protecting biodiversity, and promoting healthy oceans for future generations.
8. Climate Resiliency
We acknowledge the impacts of climate change and work to build resilient communities through education, adaptation, and stewardship of coastal resources.
9. Respect for All Living Beings
We recognize the interconnectedness of all life and honor marine species, wildlife, plants, and habitats as essential members of our shared ecosystem.
10. Community Responsibility
We work together to strengthen Indigenous communities through service, education, environmental leadership, and collective action.
Our Unique Educational Approach
Our educational approach is unique and special because it incorporates:
1. Tribal Stewardship in Action
Participants engage in hands-on stewardship activities that promote responsibility for coastal lands, waters, and marine habitats.
2. Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Teaching Indigenous observations, practices, and environmental understanding developed through generations of living in relationship with the ocean.
3. Coastal Exploration and Tide Pool Learning
Experiential learning opportunities that introduce participants to marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and coastal ecology through direct observation.
4. Climate Resiliency Education
Exploring sea-level rise, warming ocean temperatures, changing habitats, extreme weather, and adaptation strategies that strengthen coastal communities.
5. Marine Protected Area Awareness
Teaching the importance of Marine Protected Areas and how conservation supports healthy fisheries, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.
6. Cultural Immersion and Storytelling
Using Indigenous stories, oral traditions, language, and cultural teachings to foster a deeper understanding of coastal heritage and stewardship.
7. Restoration and Conservation Projects
Engaging participants in habitat restoration, watershed protection, pollution reduction, and community-based environmental solutions.
8. Sustainable Fisheries Education
Teaching responsible harvesting practices, seafood sustainability, traditional fishing knowledge, catch-and-release ethics, and food sovereignty principles.
9. Ocean Respect and Relationship Building
Encouraging participants to view the ocean not as a resource alone, but as a living relative deserving respect, gratitude, and protection.
10. Youth Leadership and Community Empowerment
Developing future Indigenous leaders through mentorship, environmental education, cultural engagement, and opportunities to lead stewardship initiatives.
