Community members of all ages are invited to experience California-style Native American singing and dancing during the 13th annual Chumash Culture Day, 1-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Tribal Hall on the Santa Ynez reservation, 100 Via Juana Lane, Santa Ynez.
The event, which is free to attend, will also feature arts and crafts vendors, food booths and basket-making demonstrations.
“Our annual Chumash Culture Day showcases the talents and traditions of California-based tribes,” said Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
“It’s also a great opportunity for members of the public to visit the reservation, enjoy a day of song and dance, and learn more about our culture,” he said.
The event opens at 1 p.m. with a blessing, followed by an honoring of elders. California native dancing and singing will take place from 2-5 p.m. and again following a dinner break from 6-9 p.m.
A traditional handgame tournament will start at 5 p.m., with teams competing for first-place ($1,000), second-place ($750), and third-place ($500) prizes.
Chumash Culture Day is sponsored by the Tribal Elders Council and the Cultural Department of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The council is a division of the tribal government that is responsible for preserving cultural resources and maintaining the tribe’s heritage, history and traditions.
For more information, call the Santa Ynez Chumash Tribal Hall, 805-688-7997.
— Veronica V. Sandoval for Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.