Kenneth Kahn

CHAIRMAN, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

KENNETH KAHN’S INVOLVEMENT and deep interest in tribal government and politics developed at an early age. At 19 he made his first trip to Sacramento to represent the tribe’s interests. Kahn was elected to the tribal leadership team in March 2003 when he was just 25 — making him the youngest person to ever serve on the Chumash Business Committee. 

Kahn went on to be elected for seven consecutive terms, serving as Secretary/Treasurer and Vice Chairman through many vital tribal milestones — including the purchase of 1,390 acres of Santa Ynez ranch land known as Camp 4 and the acquisition of two hotel properties. In April 2016, Kahn won a special election to become the new Tribal Chairman and was re-elected in that role during a general tribal election the following March 2017. He is currently serving in his fifth consecutive full term as Tribal Chairman, and under his leadership, the tribe completed its casino expansion project, constructed the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center, and Camp 4 was placed into federal trust through legislation.

Kahn comes from a long lineage of influential tribal members, including his grandmother, Chumash matriarch Rosa Pace, and grandfather and father who were also members of the tribe’s leadership.

From his first jobs as a young man at the original Tribal Hall and Chumash Casino, Kahn has always felt a pride in the tribe’s enterprises. Today he is also a passionate advocate for community service. He devotes his time to national, statewide and local causes, including the Native American Rights Fund and California’s Truth and Healing Council.