After months, and for some years, of anticipation, the newest building to be seen from Highway 246 now has out the welcome mat as the Chumash Museum and Cultural Center opened to the public on Thursday, May 15.

The opening culminates two decades of planning by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

“Twenty years ago, we were an advisory committee and now we’re a board,” said Museum Chairwoman Kathleen Marshall. “It has been a journey, but we appreciate it.”

The 14,000-square-foot facility, which is located on the corner of Highway 246 and Edison Street in Santa Ynez, showcases a portion of the tribe’s collection of more than 24,000 historically significant cultural items, including baskets, musical instruments, hunting tools, ceremonial items, and regalia — highlighting the richness and diversity of Chumash culture.

A huge part of the “journey” leading to the museum’s opening was obtaining the artifacts, which was no easy feat, according to Marshall.

“Unfortunately we’ve had to purchase all our items, because they were stolen from us,” she said. “It’s been quite a process and we’ve been purchasing from personal collectors for a while, just trying to get our collection up to open a museum.”

Another feature of the museum is its unique architecture, which was designed by the award-winning Jones & Jones Architects (also designed the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.), and is anchored by large dome structures that pay homage to the Chumash people’s traditional dwellings, the tule ‘ap. Outdoors, the 3.5-acre cultural park features exhibits and over 11,000 California native plants, including nearly 100 species used by the Chumash.

Although the museum had been open for a short time on the morning of May 15, Marshall marveled at the reactions she heard from visitors.

“The expressions we see when they walk in here [to the entrance] is something to see,” she said. “I just heard someone come in here and then say ‘this is unbelievable.’ It’s reactions like that I like to hear.”

While the museum was opening to the public for the first time, Marshall said it had already been open enjoyed by tribal members for a while.

“We had our grand opening for the tribal members a few weeks ago,” she said. “Opening the doors and seeing their emotions, their tears, their family unity, has been amazing. Clearly it was important for the tribal people to see it first. It was important to let them have their time with it before we opened it to the public.”

Now that the museum is open to the public, Marshall planning how to make it a destination for people in the Valley and beyond.

“Well, we’re looking to host school groups on visits and field trips,” she said. “We’ll probably start contacting schools at the beginning of the next school year. We’ll be closed to the public in the middle of the week, so we can bring those groups in on those days.

“We also want to bring in events and outside attractions, like basket weavers and flint knappers, or do an art show. The doors are wide open, and we have all kinds of things in mind. We’ll see how it plays out.”

Early on May 15, a good crowd came through to see the exihibit and explore the outside park, and reviews were very positive.

Tony Amastres and his wife Krista, of Goleta, said they had been driving by the building for months and wondered when it would open.

“We were at the golf course and someone told us it was opening today,” Tony Amastres said. “So, we came up to see if that was true, and it was.”

The Amastreses were very pleased with what they saw.

“It’s fantastic. It’s a great thing to have here,” Tony said. “I look forward to coming back, and bringing some other people we know in Goleta.”

Tony Amastres said he enjoyed the walk-through main exhibit.

“I love the way that it transitions from the ancient history to, for lack of a better word, current era and the mission history,” he said. “It obviously has a lot geared for kids, but if you really sit there and dig through it, you get a ton of information.”

Meanwhile, Courtney Connolly of Grover Beach, was getting ready to go into the museum with her kids Ortiz, 4, and Orla, 2, who go to Acorn Village Forest School in Santa Ynez Valley.

“I’ve been waiting for it to open ever since I’ve been driving past it, and I saw it was opening day, so I decided to check it out,” she said. “I’m planning to get a membership so the kids and I can do some stuff together, and then I can come by myself and actually digest all the stuff.”

Reactions like that are what pleases Marshall and hopes they bring more people to the museum.

“We’re honored to have this, and I think people are really going to have a great experience, walking in our footsteps for a little bit,” she said. “I’d just like to tell them, ‘Come visit and learn about our people. You will learn so much about who we were and who we are.'”

The museum’s hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and tickets are available for purchase at www.sychumashmuseum.org. Admission is $15 for adults (18-64), $12 for seniors (65+), $12 for teens (13-17), $10 for children (3-12), $12 for military members (with ID) and free for toddlers (2 and under).

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The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has announced that the highly anticipated Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center will open to the public on Thursday, May 15. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and tickets are available for purchase at www.sychumashmuseum.org. Admission is $15 for adults (18-64), $12 for seniors (65+), $12 for teens (13-17), $10 for children (3-12), $12 for military members (with ID) and free for toddlers (2 and under).

The 14,000-square-foot facility, which is located on the corner of Highway 246 and Edison Street in Santa Ynez, showcases a portion of the tribe’s collection of more than 24,000 historically significant cultural items, including baskets, musical instruments, hunting tools, ceremonial items, and regalia — highlighting the richness and diversity of Chumash culture.

The museum’s unique architecture, which was designed by the award-winning Jones & Jones Architects (also designed the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.), is anchored by large dome structures that pay homage to the Chumash people’s traditional dwellings, the tule ‘ap. Outdoors, the 3.5-acre cultural park features exhibits and over 11,000 California native plants, including nearly 100 species used by the Chumash.

“Our tribe looks forward to sharing the deep history and culture of our people with the greater community,” said Kenneth Kahn, Tribal Chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “Our museum guests are encouraged to explore this one-of-a-kind facility that has been a five-decade-long dream for our people. It holds not only artifacts and exhibits, but the spirit of our ancestors, the wisdom of those who came before us, and the richness of a culture that has withstood the test of time.”  

The museum is located at 3500 Numancia St. in Santa Ynez and offers free parking. Annual memberships are available for purchase, and the museum also accepts donations, which support maintenance, creating new exhibits and funding educational programs for the community. 

Before experiencing the museum, the tribe encourages you to visit the facility’s informative website, which can be found at www.sychumashmuseum.org. 

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The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation is currently accepting applications for its Technology in Schools Program, which provides grants to Santa Barbara County schools seeking to enhance classroom technology. The deadline to apply for funding for the 2025–2026 school year is April 30, and all applications must be submitted online at chumash.gov/foundation. Launched in 2015, the program has awarded more than $550,000 in grants, helping schools purchase new hardware, upgrade infrastructure, integrate high-tech resources, and enrich their curriculum. 

The most recent 2024–2025 recipients include Vista Del Mar Union School District, which received $8,255 to upgrade Chromebooks and its uninterruptible power supply; College School District, awarded $9,173.96 for a 3D printer and interactive whiteboard; Los Olivos Elementary School, which received $10,136 for MacBooks and AppleCare; and Santa Barbara Unified School District, which received $10,000 for digital projectors. Additional recipients include La Colina Junior High School, Orcutt Academy High School, Saint Louis de Montfort Catholic School, San Marcos High School, Lakeview Junior High School, and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, which used grant funds for tools ranging from robotics kits and laptops to interactive display boards and Esports equipment. The program was born from the success of the tribe’s 2015 charity golf tournament, where proceeds were donated as technology grants to four local schools. Inspired by that impact, the tribe established an ongoing initiative through its foundation to support the evolving technological needs of classrooms across the county. 

For more information or to apply, visit chumash.gov/foundation or call (805) 688-7997. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $30 million to schools, nonprofits, and organizations locally and across the country, continuing a long-standing tradition of community giving.

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SANTA YNEZ — The 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.

As one of SYTHC’s biggest events of the year, the clinic’s Dental Department provided dental care for any local child regardless of income or insurance status.  Children received a comprehensive oral examination (including X-rays when appropriate), teeth cleaning, oral health education, and dietary recommendations. Any treatment that was diagnosed during the exams will be completed at follow-up visits throughout 2025. The event was staffed by SYTHC dentists, registered dental assistants and dental hygienists. The event saw 28 children being treated with a total of $7,300 in services as no cost to their families. over $4,200 of dental services were provided to 19 children at no cost to their families. 

 “Our dental clinic looks forward to this event every year, because it gives us an opportunity to shine a light on the importance of pediatric oral health, and to hopefully make a positive and lasting impact on our young patients,” said Dr. Mike Savidan, dental director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, before the big event.
 
Located on the Santa Ynez Reservation at 90 Via Juana Lane in Santa Ynez, SYTHC accommodates more than 25,000 patient visits per year, has an active patient population of over 8,300 and employs 70 team members. The staff specializes in the highest standards of quality health care through modern medicine and cultural traditions. While the clinic’s comprehensive medical, dental and behavioral health services are available to Chumash Community Members, the clinic also treats non-native patients of diverse ethnic backgrounds with unique needs. The facility accepts Medicare, Medi-Cal and most major insurance plans.
 
The clinic is an unincorporated instrumentality of the tribe and is part of the Indian Health Service (IHS). SYTHC is also a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that receives grant and third-party funding as a mature contractor.  For more information, contact SYTHC at (805) 688-7070 or log on to sythc.org

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To assist Santa Barbara County schools that are struggling to meet the classroom technology needs of their students, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated over $79,000 to 10 area schools that applied for grants through its foundation’s Technology in Schools Program for the 2024-25 school year. 

The program encourages Santa Barbara County school administrators and faculty to apply for technology grant dollars to fund specific projects. These grants let schools purchase hardware, upgrade infrastructure, add high-tech resources and boost their curriculum. 

The deadline to apply for the 2025-26 school year is April 30, 2025, and all applications must be submitted online at chumash.gov/foundation

This year’s recipients are Vista Del Mar Union School District in Gaviota, College School District in Santa Ynez, Los Olivos Elementary School, Santa Barbara Unified School District, La Colina Junior High School in Santa Barbara, Orcutt Academy High School in Santa Maria, Saint Louis de Montfort Catholic School in Santa Maria, San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, Lakeview Junior High School in Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

“It’s an honor to help enhance the learning experience of potentially thousands of young, learning minds in Santa Barbara County through our Technology in Schools Program,” said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “An innovative education is crucial to student engagement and the success of our future generations, and we’re proud to be able to contribute by helping put the latest technology in local classrooms.” 

Vista Del Mar Union School District in Gaviota was awarded $8,255 and will use this funding to upgrade its existing Chromebooks so students can use the latest applications, access the State Testing Portal and replace uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for consistent internet during power outages. 

“Vista is incredibly grateful for the support of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians,” said Bree Valla, superintendent/principal for Vista Del Mar Union School District. “Their support will allow us to ensure that Vista students have continued access to quality technology and are prepared for the 21st century. Thank you, Chumash foryour continued support of our community!” 

College School District in Santa Ynez was awarded $9,173.96 and will use this funding to upgrade its STEAM Maker’sLab by purchasing a 3D printer and an interactive whiteboard. 

“We are so excited to be receiving multiple 3D printers from the Technology in Schools Program,” said Anthony Bruemmer, principal for College School District. “This generosity from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians goes a long way in our schools by giving enrichment opportunities to our students that would otherwise not be available to them. Thank you so much for giving back to the youth in our community here in Santa Ynez.” 

Los Olivos Elementary School was awarded $10,136 to purchase seven MacBooks and AppleCare to better supportlearning activities conducted on its Promethean interactive display boards.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School (SYVHS) was awarded $7,000 to fund new hardware, software, accessories andtravel expenses to support the launch of its new Esports league.

“Our students at SYVHS have wanted to increase our technology presence and establish an eSports league for some time now,” said David Kirkhart, science teacher for Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. “Thanks to the incredible grant made available by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, it will become a reality! The kids are very excited and even with only word of mouth so far, the interest in the [Esports] league continues to grow and grow. We can’t wait to see how far the students will take this and how well they will do. Thank you again for helping make this a reality.” 

Others who received donations from the Chumash include:

• Santa Barbara Unified School District, awarded $10,000 to purchase three digital projectors for its Visual Arts & Design Academy (VADA). 
• La Colina Junior High School, awarded $8,500 to purchase and install Promethean interactive display boards for its math classrooms in advance of a new, modern Amplify Desmos Math curriculum to be implemented next year.
• Orcutt Academy High School, awarded $3,000 for library equipment, including a Paragon Chargebar Table, adjustable stools and portable charging stations. 
• Saint Louis de Montfort Catholic School, awarded $9,500 to purchase new laptops and TI-84 graphing calculators. 
• San Marcos High School, awarded $5,500 to purchase two Cannon EOS R6 digital cameras, 15 SD cards and an iPad Pro.  

In 2015, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians donated the proceeds from its annual charity golf tournament to four local schools in the form of technology grants. Inspired by the success of those grants, the tribe’s leadership created the Technology in Schools Program through its foundation to help fulfill the high-tech needs of classrooms in Santa Barbara County. Since its inception, the program has issued more than $550,000 in grants to area schools.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $30 million to hundreds of groups, organizations andschools in the community and across the nation as part of the tribe’s long-standing tradition of giving. 

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By Jim Logan 

for UCSB

As one of the most experienced archaeologists studying California’s Native Americans, Lynn Gamble knew the Chumash Indians had been using shell beads as money for at least 800 years. 

But an exhaustive review of some of the shell bead records led the UC Santa Barbara professor emerita of anthropology to an astonishing conclusion: The hunter-gatherers centered on the South Central Coast of Santa Barbara were using highly worked shells as currency as long as 2,000 years ago. 

“If the Chumash were using beads as money 2,000 years ago, this changes our thinking of hunter-gatherers and sociopolitical and economic complexity,” Gamble said. “This may be the first example of the use of money anywhere in the Americas at this time.” 

Although Gamble has been studying California’s indigenous people since the late 1970s, the inspiration for her research on shell bead money came from far afield: the University of Tübingen in Germany. At a symposium there some years ago, most of the presenters discussed coins and other non-shell forms of money. Some, she said, were surprised by the assumptions of California archaeologists about what constituted money. 

Intrigued, she reviewed the definitions and identifications of money in California and questioned some of the long-held beliefs. Her research led to “The origin and use of shell bead money in California” in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. 

Gamble argues that archaeologists should use four criteria in assessing whether beads were used for currency versus adornment: Shell beads used as currency should be more labor-intensive than those for decorative purposes; highly standardized beads are likely currency; bigger, eye-catching beads were more likely used as decoration; and currency beads are widely distributed. 

“I then compared the shell beads that had been accepted as a money bead for over 40 years by California archaeologists to another type that was widely distributed,” she said. “For example, tens of thousands were found with just one individual up in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“This bead type, known as a saucer bead, was produced south of Point Conception and probably on the northern [Santa Barbara] Channel Islands, according to multiple sources of data, at least most, if not all of them. 

“These earlier beads were just as standardized, if not more so, than those that came 1,000 years later,” Gamble said. “They also were traded throughout California and beyond. Through sleuthing, measurements and comparison of standardizations among the different bead types, it became clear that these were probably money beads and occurred much earlier than we previously thought.” 

As Gamble notes, shell beads have been used for more than 10,000 years in California, and there is extensive evidence for the production of some of these beads, especially those common in the last 3,000 to 4,000 years, on the northern Channel Islands. The evidence includes shell bead-making tools, such as drills, and massive amounts of shell bits — detritus — that littered the surface of archaeological sites on the islands. 

In addition, specialists have noted that the isotopic signature of the shell beads found in the San Francisco Bay Area indicate the shells are from south of Point Conception. 

“We know that right around early European contact, the California Indians were trading for many types of goods, including perishable foods,” Gamble said. “The use of shell beads no doubt greatly facilitated this wide network of exchange.” 

Gamble’s research not only resets the origins of money in the Americas, it calls into question what constitutes “sophisticated” societies in prehistory. Because the Chumash were non-agriculturists — hunter-gatherers — it was long held that they wouldn’t need money, even though early Spanish colonizers marveled at extensive Chumash trading networks and commerce. 

Recent research on money in Europe during the Bronze Age suggests it was used there some 3,500 years ago. For Gamble, that and the Chumash example are significant because they challenge a persistent perspective among economists and some archaeologists that so-called “primitive” societies could not have had “commercial” economies. 

“Both the terms ‘complex’ and ‘primitive’ are highly charged, but it is difficult to address this subject without avoiding those terms,” she said. “In the case of both the Chumash and the Bronze Age example, standardization is a key in terms of identifying money. 

“My article on the origin of money in California is not only pushing the date for the use of money back 1,000 years in California, and possibly the Americas, it provides evidence that money was used by non-state level societies, commonly identified as ‘civilizations.’”

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Nakia Zavalla can trace her Chumash heritage back to at least six generations. She grew up on the Chumash reservation and learned about Chumash traditions from her grandmother and her parents.  

Nakia Zavalla is featured on the latest episode of “SYV Stories,” a new local podcast about community and purpose in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Photo contributed

Zavalla is featured on the latest episode of “SYV Stories,” a new local podcast about community and purpose in the Santa Ynez Valley. Hosted and produced by Solvang resident Tamara Rowles, each episode features an in-depth interview with a member of the community who has contributed something significant to the valley or has an interesting story to share about its history.

Those featured in past episodes range from distinguished resident Allan Jones, Santa Ynez Valley Star Publisher Raiza Giorgi, Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Bethania Pastor Chris Brown and more. 

“In our conversation, we discuss Nakia’s family history, her experiences growing up on the reservation, her mission and life’s work to preserve and teach the Samala language and Chumash culture, the challenges she’s faced and overcome along the way, and her vision for the future of her people,” said Rowles.

Zavalla currently serves as the cultural director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Today Zavalla teaches the Samala language and Chumash culture to both the tribe and the Santa Ynez Valley community. Zavalla is also a credentialed teacher who is available to teach Chumash culture to local students. She can be reached via email at nzavalla@santaynezchumash.org.

As listenership grows, Rowles intends to interview more guests who have ties to the valley going back generations as well as passionate community leaders, volunteers and elected officials. Each episode is between 30 and 45 minutes long. New episodes are released approximately every two weeks.

To listen to the podcast, search “SYV Stories” on your phone’s podcast app (Apple, Spotify, Google or your favorite podcast app) or go to www.syvstories.com. Rowles welcomes comments or recommendations for future guests and may be contacted at syvstories@gmail.com.

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The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation has delivered $100,000 in donations to Santa Ynez Valley schools in order to help educators meet high-tech needs and the unique challenges distance learning has presented at the start of this school year.

The foundation’s Remote Learning Resources grant sizes were based on each school’s expressed need and its student enrollment. Using this formula, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, which boasts the largest student population in the valley with an enrollment of 853, received the top grant of $32,175.

The high school has taken a creative approach to reducing the distance some students may be feeling while learning from home.

“This donation to our school district has allowed us to fund a ‘community liaison’ position that will provide a critical point of contact with, and support for, valley families that are experiencing unique struggles with facilitating distance learning for their children,” said Scott Cory, Superintendent of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District. “The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians continues to be amazing community partners with us.” 

The foundation’s Remote Learning Resource program was developed to help schools address unforeseen costs caused by COVID-19 restrictions. 

The other 11 schools receiving donations were Ballard Elementary, Dunn High School, Dunn Middle School, Jonata Middle School, Los Olivos Elementary, Oak Valley Elementary, Santa Ynez Charter School, Santa Ynez Elementary, Santa Ynez Valley Christian Academy, Solvang Elementary and The Family School, with grants ranging from $14,625 to $2,500 for these schools.

Randal Haggard, Superintendent of the Buellton Union School District, said donations to Oak Valley Elementary and Jonata Middle School will help some students gain access to the Internet.

“We have students who live on ranches and in areas that have shadow spots for cell service and wifi access, and connecting those families can be a significant expense,” he said. “These funds will help defray some of those costs. Also, it was the tribe’s generosity that helped us kick-start our one-to-one technology program, so this donation will be another shot in the arm for that effort.”

Haggard added that the gesture from the tribe represents the strength of the local community and its willingness to support its youth.

“At a time when we probably use the word unprecedented too frequently, this is truly a situation we’ve never experienced before,” he said of distance learning during a pandemic. “A donation like this meets the immediate needs. I can’t say enough about how grateful we are to have our community reaching out and being a safety net during this incredibly difficult time.”

Kenneth Kahn, Tribal Chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, said the foundation’s board has been inspired by the extraordinary lengths schools have gone to ensuring that students are successful in today’s new learning environment.

“Our tribe places a high value on education, and we felt it was important to help our local schools with additional funds during these challenging times,” he said. “We’re proud to be part of a community that will go the extra mile to meet the educational needs for our future leaders and innovators.”

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $25 million to hundreds of groups, organizations and schools in the community and across the nation as part of the tribe’s long-standing tradition of giving.

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On Nov. 12, during America Recycles Week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and Chumash Casino Resort for its outstanding efforts in recycling, food recovery and moving toward “zero waste.”

EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest, Mike Stoker, toured the Chumash Casino Resort to celebrate its “green leadership” during America Recycles Week.

“The Chumash Casino Resort’s Zero Waste initiatives are making a real difference for the environment,” Stoker said. “By diverting more than 90 percent of their total waste stream from landfills and sharing their expertise with other tribes, they are true recycling champions.”

“It’s an honor for our tribe to be recognized by the EPA during America Recycles Week,” said Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn. “By forming local partnerships and participating in innovative programs, our Chumash Casino Resort’s Facilities Department has taken our recycling efforts to new heights.”

In 2018, the Chumash Casino Resort diverted 2.9 million pounds of waste, representing over 90 percent of its overall waste stream, from local landfills through its successful Zero Waste program. To reach this ambitious target, the Chumash Casino Resort has formed both local and national partnerships and participated in several innovative programs to complement its extensive in-house recycling efforts.

The Chumash Casino Resort has won several EPA awards, including the Food Recovery Challenge award in 2014 and 2016. The resort has also been an EPA WasteWise partner since 2008 and has received national WasteWise Partner of the Year awards in 2012 and 2015.

For more information on joining America Recycles efforts, visit https://www.epa.gov/americarecycles.

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By Raiza Giorgi

publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com

Native American dancers and other tribal members from far and wide displayed their cultural heritage and talents in drumming, dancing and other artistry during the 24^th annual Chumash Inter-Tribal Pow-Wow at Live Oak Camp in the Santa Ynez Valley on the weekend of Oct. 5-6.

The pow-wow held a grand entry on Saturday and Sunday, in which all dancers entered single-file behind flags.

The annual ceremony is hosted by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and draws more than 300 members of tribal nations from across the United States and Canada.

“I love coming here to celebrate the Chumash and Indian culture and visit with family and friends from other tribes,” said Lacee Lopez of the Santa Barbara Coastal Chumash tribe.

Lopez helps out her family every year with selling wares and making jewelry. She loves her family’s connection with the ocean and has crossed to the Channel Islands 11 times in canoes.

“I love the freedom of paddling and seeing the dolphins. It’s as close as we can get to our ancestors,” Lopez added.

This year, Lopez noted, she also joined in the dancing.

Dancing categories include traditional, straight, fancy, grass, jingle dress, buckskin and cloth dancing. More than $50,000 in prize money is offered.

The event also offers Native American food and craft booths.

The pow-wow started with a gourd dance at noon Saturday, followed by a grand entry at 1 p.m. marking the beginning of the pow-wow, in which all dancers enter single-file behind flags. The grand entry was repeated on Sunday.

The master of ceremonies provided directions for the dancers and the public and information about the songs, competitions and dances.

The pow-wow is an annual effort of a committee of Chumash tribal volunteers who plan, organize and operate the gathering.

The committee’s goal is to provide the community with educational and cultural experiences focusing on Native American music, arts and customs while also promoting native self-reliance and pride.

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