Welcome to the Education Department of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. 

The Chumash people have always valued education — whether gaining wisdom from their elders about centuries-old traditions, or discovering the world through teachers beyond the tribe.

The Education Committee is composed of seven elected tribal members who work alongside our Education Director to guide strategic educational investments in the tribe’s community members. Our mission is to encourage and invest in Santa Ynez Tribal community members to foster their lifelong development for the sustainability of those we serve and future generations.

Through the offerings of our robust learning center and other programs we administer, the tribe is able to offer financial aid, access to credentialed teachers, adult workshops, summer programs, GED and High School Diploma completion support, and Family forums and educational field trips for intergenerational learning.

  • In the past decade, tribal high school graduation rates have risen to 100 percent.

  • Currently, there are 63 tribal students enrolled at 54 universities across the country.

  • Tribal graduates have earned 116 bachelor’s degrees, 46 master’s degrees, and eight doctorates.

  • In 1994, the Chumash Education Department began to administer a financial aid program to support tuition expenses from pre-school through college.

  • The education department offers academic support, advocacy, counseling, college visits, and financial aid for tribal descendants, as well as academic intervention and resources offered to tribal students throughout the year. 

  • The department hosts workshops focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, music, math, and financial literacy.

  • In October 2012, the tribe opened its 5,000-square-foot Learning Center.

  • In 2015, the education department was a recipient of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development Honoring Nations Award. The academic readiness effort was honored as one of six outstanding tribal government practices in the United States. 

The Results of Our Commitment to Education

Chumash Graduates in the Arts

A Unique Music Program for Chumash Children

The “Read to a Dog” Program at the Chumash Learning Center

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