For thousands of years, the Chumash people lived along California’s Central Coast and on its Channel Islands. Then the newcomers arrived — Spanish explorers, Catholic missionaries, Mexican rancheros, California settlers — and the Chumash way of life was dismantled, their people enslaved and their traditions, culture and language forbidden.
Read MoreThe Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center, which opened less than a month ago with a construction budget of $32 million, represents 8,000 years, or 350 generations, of Chumash life and culture to the present day.
Read MoreAfter two decades of vision, persistence, and deep-rooted cultural commitment, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has officially opened the doors to the long-awaited Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center.
Read MoreAt Kitiyepumu’ Park last weekend, more than 250 people gathered to celebrate the 17th annual Chumash Earth Day.
Read MoreAfter decades of dreaming and years of planning, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians will open the doors to their long-awaited Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center on May 15.
Read MoreLong-Awaited Institution Showcases the History, Contributions, and Resilience of the Chumash Community
Read MoreSANTA YNEZ, CA – April 15, 2025 – The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Environmental Department will host its annual free Chumash Earth Day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Kitiyepumu’ Park, located on the Santa Ynez Reservation at 100 Via Juana Road in Santa Ynez.
Read MoreKenneth Kahn has retained his role as tribal chairman for the fifth consecutive full term while Mike Lopez, Maxine Littlejohn, Gary Pace and Raul Armenta were also re-elected to their seats on the Business Committee following a recent vote by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians to select its governing body.
Read MoreThe Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation is accepting grant applications for its Technology in Schools Program, which supports Santa Barbara County schools seeking funds to increase access to technology in the classroom.
Read MoreThe Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic held its fifth annual Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) event on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the clinic, located on the reservation at 90 Via Juana Lane in Santa Ynez. The event provided children, ages 12 and under, with free dental work, including exams, cleanings, and more.
Read MoreFour culturally significant artifacts were recently returned to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, finalizing a repatriation process that began between the tribe and the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum in 2022.
Read MoreThe Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation has donated over $79,000 to 10 Santa Barbara County schools struggling to meet the classroom technology needs of their students.
Read MoreThe Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians recently presented a check for over $8,700 to the Breast Imaging Center at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital to help the non-profit deliver superior care to its patients through ultrasound screenings, mammography and biopsies. The donation is part of the Chumash Casino Resort’s annual Project Pink campaign, which showcases pink food and beverage creations in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Read MoreChumash firefighters helped restore the Pacific Palisades after the disastrous flames died down. Rina Nakano reports.
Read MoreStarting in mid-October, Los Padres and the Chumash Fire Department went into restoration mode in areas damaged by fire suppression efforts and repaired remote roads to preserve them for the upcoming rainy season.
Read MoreThe Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated $25,000 to the Central Coast Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots campaign, marking the 21st consecutive year the tribe has helped fund the nonprofit’s efforts to supply toys to economically disadvantaged children during the holiday season.
Read MoreSANTA YNEZ, Calif. (CNN) — The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians cultivate native species and share their ancient medicinal properties.
Read MoreSANTA YNEZ, Calif. (KABC) -- Across the country, Native American tribes are struggling to reclaim what was taken from them over the course of more than a century: the remains of their ancestors and personal sacred items, now held in museums, universities and other institutions that are, in many cases, far from home.
Read MoreSANTA YNEZ, Calif. – The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians raised $135,000 through its annual golf classic with proceeds going to People Helping People, Hillside House and the Cabrillo High School Aquarium.
Read MoreThe Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians inaugural car show, dubbed "Wheels and Wansaqs," takes place Saturday at the Santa Ynez Reservation in an effort to raise funds and awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women.
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