The Chumash People are a Native American group originally inhabiting the coastal regions of southern California, particularly around the Channel Islands and the mainland areas of Santa Barbara and Ventura. They are known for their rich culture, which included advanced fishing techniques, intricate basket weaving, and the construction of plank canoes called tomols. Historically, the Chumash lived in semi-permanent villages and relied on the abundant natural resources of the ocean and land. They spoke the Chumash language, which is part of the Hokan language family, and had a complex social structure with trade networks extending to other tribes.