Culture

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Hello and welcome to the culture department of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. 

Our culture is deeply rooted within the souls of every tribal member and lives on within our hearts. Despite outside forces threatening our way of life over the years, and continued pressure to assimilate and forsake our traditions, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians maintained our connection to our ancestors and to our core identity of being Chumash. We have survived and thrived because of our strength as a tribe and our spiritual connection to Chumash heritage.

Utilizing the revenue from our Chumash Casino Resort, we can now implement cultural enrichment programs to ensure that our culture remains strong within the tribe and is preserved for our children.

We have many cultural programs available for Chumash tribal members and their children, ranging from basket-weaving classes to Samala language classes. We also participate in a historic tomol crossing each year, as well as host the annual Chumash Inter-Tribal Pow-Wow and Chumash Culture Day.

Through these ongoing programs and the daily dedication to strengthening our shared heritage, our passion for Chumash culture — and its resilience — will continue to grow.  We invite you to join us!

Sincerely,
Nakia Zavalla
Cultural Director

REAWAKENING the Samala Language

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Culture Department established the Language Program in 2008.  Beginning with six Language Apprentices hired by Culture Director Nakia Zavalla and Dr. Richard Applegate, the program then expanded to bring on further language apprentices in 2013.

As a recipient of the ANA (Administration of Native American) grant, the Culture Department was able to make their mission to help establish a speaking curriculum for the community a reality.

Chumash Culture department team members have taught at the Santa Ynez Valley Charter School and The Family School located in Los Olivos. Members of the department have also participated and continue to participate in Colloquiums at the University of California Santa Barbara and other higher education institutions.  

The Language Teacher Credential 

In 2008, California Assembly Bill 544 established a separate teaching credential for the teaching of Native American languages in California schools. Federally recognized California tribes administered a test of their Native American language(s) to the teacher applicant, and those who succeeded received tribal sponsorship for a separate teaching credential from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing after passing necessary background and other checks. 

The 2015 passage of AB 163, which was introduced by then-State Assemblyman Das Williams, allowed for applicants to be authorized to teach courses in Native American language, Native American culture or both in California public schools.

Currently, the Chumash Culture department has two state-credentialed language teachers — Nakia Zavalla and Kathleen Marshall— as well as four cultural and community teachers – Levi Zavalla, Tani Zavalla, Isabella Marshall and Sofia Mata.

CULTURAL STRENGTHENING

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Culture Department provides classes, workshops, and social opportunities for tribal members and descendants to help them better understand their heritage and continue ancestral traditions. 

Ongoing programs include: Basket Weaving classes where students learn the techniques of traditional basketry using materials such as an awl and juncus; Community Garden & Cooking workshops where participants learn to prepare ancient recipes fresh from the Earth; Samala Archery Club where full family units learn and practice the popular recreational activity; and Camp Kalawashaq which immerses young campers in cultural activities and local field trips.

Cultural Resource Management

The Cultural Resource Management team, who is overseen by the Elders’ Council, manages tribal cultural resources and aims to mitigate damage to Chumash sites, features, cultural landscapes, sacred places, and objects within a framework of federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines. The Cultural Resource Management team currently consists of a Cultural Resource archaeologist, Cultural Resource Manager, and cultural monitors who strive for the protection of tribal cultural resources during ground disturbing activities. If Chumash artifacts and/or human remains are found, please use the form below to contact the Culture Department immediately.

Fill out the form below to send a message directly to the Chumash Culture department.