Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

The Santa Ynez Reservation is located in Santa Barbara County and was established and officially recognized by the federal government on December 27, 1901. Today, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians remains the only federally recognized Chumash tribe in the nation. The tribe is a self-governing sovereign nation and follows the laws set forth in its tribal constitution.

Members of our Business Committee — including four elected members and myself, the elected Tribal Chairman — are our government leaders. 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.