note: The Tribal Trust Foundation stands with the Chumash Peoples who demand that this hurtful street name be changed now to another name that is not insulting, oppressive and demeaning. 

From Marcus V. Lopez, Chairman of the Barbareño Chumash Tribal Council:

"California Indian people have suffered through genocide, discrimination, slavery, stolen lands, and Treaties that failed to be ratified or honored. In this contemporary moment, where racist institutions have been met with increased scrutiny, we are requesting that the City of Santa Barbara change the street name "Indio Muerto" to another name. We propose to change the name of the street to Hutash, our mother earth, a name that has significant and positive meaning for us Chumash and other Indigenous Peoples. The street name Hutash reflects our beginnings, our Mother Earth, the strength and importance of women in our community, and the need for all peoples to recognize the ongoing pandemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Hutash Street would be a symbol of our collective survival, strength, and resilience, as well as call to heal from the past, present, and future violence and trauma that are the symptoms of colonialism and racism." 

original text: The street name Indio Muerto or “Dead Indian” has long faced criticism within the Santa Barbara community. Please sign the petition to urge our local city council members to change this hurtful name, and demand recognition and acknowledgement of the Indigenous people of this land.

The street - which runs between the 101 to Milpas Street - allegedly came from Captain Salisbury Haley’s 1850 survey of Santa Barbara when a deceased Chumash man was found near the street. It is claimed that the street was named after the Wot (Chief) of the village who was killed and buried there. 

We believe this name is disrespectful to Native Peoples and shows a disregard for the original inhabitants of this land. We ask you to sign this petition and stand with us and our Indigenous brothers and sisters of the Santa Barbara region.