I am writing today to ask a favor.

Will you help us and donate funds for the funeral expenses of Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto? Ernestine passed away on January 29, 2026, in Santa Barbara, California. Her funeral was February 10 and although the Santa Barbara Mission generously provided use of the Mission and other support, Ernestine's family is still facing significant funeral costs.

Ernestine was the daughter of Mary Yee, who was the last first-language speaker of ’alapkaswa’ (also known as Barbareño Chumash), and also the last known fluent speaker of any Chumash language. Ernestine was a Chumash elder, storyteller, and guardian of the ’alapkaswa’ language. She was the face and voice of the ’alapkaswa’ people for over 50 years, fighting to protect our ancestral land, preserve our cultural heritage, and revive the language practices of our people. Ernestine received very limited compensation for dedicating her life to these causes.

Please consider a donation today, whether small or large, to help pay for Ernestine’s farewell journey.

no’no kaqʰinaliyuw ‘Thank you very much!’

From the family of Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto: children - Gilbert Unzueta, Gina Unzueta, Ronald Gradias, and Paul Gradias; granddaughter - Regina Gradias; nephew – James Yee.