In addition to providing fire, emergency, medical and disaster preparedness services for the Santa Ynez Reservation, the Chumash Fire Department serves as a resource for the greater community, combatting fires and protecting people and property throughout the region. Often, our crew are the first responders to wildfires on federal land through an arrangement with the U.S. Forest Service. Additionally, Chumash fire crews can be found on the front lines — battling fires in Santa Barbara County, ac

When the official plans to build our own museum began in 2013, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians began collecting artifacts and replications made by the Chumash people. This segment of Chumash Life originally premiered in March 2014, and shares a small glimpse into this incredible acquisition process to bring pieces of Chumash past to Chumash present. We look forward to sharing a collection of these items with you when the doors open to the brand new Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural C

At one time, Chumash territory encompassed 7,000 square miles that spanned from the beaches of Malibu to Paso Robles. The tribe also inhabited inland to the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley. Utilizing resources from both the land and the sea, we called ourselves “the first people,” and pointed to the Pacific Ocean as our first home. We invite you to learn more about the rich history of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians at the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center, now open to

Sharing the complexity of our ancestral communities through education is just one of the ways we are honoring the legacy of our people. Learn more about the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians at santaynezchumash.org. | Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

☀️ #TodayinHistory: On October 18, 1587, the Luzones Indios landed on indigenous Chumash land (now Morro Bay, California). They were the first recorded people from the Philippines to set foot in what is now the United States. These Luzones Indios were highly-skilled navigators and experienced sailors who aided the Spaniards in navigating the vast waters of Asia and the Pacific. 🇲🇱 The Luzones people have a long and fascinating history in both Asia and the Americas. For example, they both aided