Carmen Sandoval-Aqimowon  grew up on the Santa Ynez Indian Reservation in Santa Ynez. Throughout her life, she has actively explored a range of artistic media (visual, cultural, performing) – always with a focus on cultural and ecological preservation, education, and community engagement. As a Chumash cultural artist, she is an accomplished jewelry designer who was featured in a segment of Chumash Life titled Chumash Bling on YouTube (https://youtu.be/tSwwj8qlpnA) . She is also a painter, sculptor, and printmaker. As a master gardener, Carmen-Aqimowon understands the relationship between protecting our environment and ensuring the sustainability of traditional materials for generations to come. This element is present in all of her artistic work. Carmen-Aqimowon works to bridge communities toward building mutual understanding and respect for the cultural traditions that are indigenous to California. Through the ’Anapamu’ Alliance, she strives to amplify contemporary Native voices in dialogues about our current ecological issues and our current socio-emotional state. Guiding youth, adults and elders, through working models in action towards healing. We as our ancestors know it as šumawɨštaš.