Through this carefully constructed framework, we are able to honor the legacy of our ancestors. The tribal government of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is democracy in action. The tribal members also conduct elections every two years to select these leadership positions. The Business Committee oversees the legal and business affairs of the tribe and makes recommendations for the overall good of tribal membership, which then votes on the recommendations made by the Business Committee. Members of our Business Committee - including four elected members and myself, the elected Tribal Chairman - are our government leaders. The tribe is a self-governing sovereign nation and follows the laws set forth in its tribal constitution. Today, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians remains the only federally recognized Chumash tribe in the nation.
The Santa Ynez Reservation is located in Santa Barbara County and was established and officially recognized by the federal government on December 27, 1901. We are honored to share our history, our culture, and the progress we’ve made in our government and economic development. Welcome to the government page of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
