Chairwoman Violet Sage Walker is the Tribal Chair of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, and the nominator of the Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. She is a 2018 Emerge CA graduate and an elected 35th district delegate for CA state party ADEM Progressive Democrats.
She graduated with a bachelor’s in pre-law, political science, religious studies, and criminal justice.
The ocean has also always been part of Violet’s life, her compass is set to the sea. She learned to SCUBA dive at the age of 12 and became a Divemaster at 18. Violet’s dedication to the SLO County community and beyond is exemplified through her diverse array of passions, both personal and professional.
Throughout her many roles is the ever-present connection to her family’s long standing legacy of protecting the natural resources, culture, and ancestors of this beautiful space we share. She continues to carry on this legacy left by her late Father, tribal Chief Fred Collins, as a local leader and community member.
This connection to the Chumash land and sea is a deeply important part of Violet’s ties to self, community, and her Heritage. Violet continues to represent the past, present, and future leadership through a greater understanding of what it means to take care of our place, be good stewards, and create community.