The Tomoł is a sacred plank canoe and a powerful symbol of Chumash identity, innovation, and connection to the sea. For thousands of years, the Chumash used tomołs for travel, trade, fishing, and spiritual journeys between the mainland and the Channel Islands.

Building a tomoł was a highly respected tradition, often taking up to a year to complete. It required immense skill, patience, and community effort. Crafted from redwood or pine—often driftwood shaped and sealed with yop (a natural tar and pine pitch mixture)—each tomoł is more than a vessel; it is a living representation of the ancestors, carrying stories, prayers, and the enduring spirit of the Lulapin Chumash people.