Did you know that Santa Barbara has been home to the Chumash people for around 13,000 years?

The Chumash tribe settled near our area centuries ago. They have made an immense contribution to the culture of the area through the preservation of their traditional lifestyle. Painted rocks and shells, basketry, and methods of fish harvesting were some of the ways that this tribe remained connected to their ancient way of life.

Unfortunately, European colonizers brought violence as well as introduced diseases that had a devastating effect on this settled population.

Despite these struggles, much about the Chumash people survives in the form of artifacts and stories passed across generations. Recognizing the tribulation that they faced and their resiliency is crucial in understanding how integral these Native Americans are to society today.