• Santa Ynez

Six historically significant bronze sculptures were unveiled yesterday at a special tour and celebration for tribal members at the newly expanded Chumash Casino Resort. The tribe commissioned nature and wildlife artist Dan Chen to create sculptures that pay tribute to the way of life of the Santa Ynez Chumash ancestors.

“The story of our tribe is one of perseverance, survival and adaptability. We wanted to see our story captured in sculptures, and I believe Dan Chen has done that beautifully,” said Kenneth Kahn, Tribal Chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

The sculptures are housed in the entryway to the casino, and each pays tribute to the way of life of the Santa Ynez Chumash ancestors.

“Heritage” depicts beloved ancestor Maria Solares sharing stories with a child, symbolizing how she preserved tribal history, culture and language for posterity.

Dec 07, 2020 Santa Ynez Chumash Casino Resort. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. The Chumash Casino Resort will continue to operate during the Regional Stay-at-Home order. Apr 08, 2015 An opposition group in California is suing the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and its leaders in hopes of stopping the tribe's $160 million casino expansion. The tribe will be adding a 12-story hotel tower with 215 rooms to the Chumash Casino Resort. There will also be 75,000 additional square-feet of gaming space, a 20,000 square-foot pool. Update: 4-28-16 The Santa Ynez Band Of Chumash Indians have announced that they will be opening their newly expanded Chumash Casino Resort from May 20. The $160 million expansion includes 75,000 sq ft of additional gaming floor space, a twelve-story tower with 215 hotel rooms, as well as a new 584-space parking garage, and a 20,000 sq ft pool deck. Under his leadership as Chairman, the tribe completed its casino expansion project and Camp 4 was placed into federal trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Kahn comes from a long lineage of influential tribal members, including his grandmother, Chumash matriarch Rosa Pace, and grandfather and father who were also members of the tribe’s.

“Tradition” is a sculpture that shows a tribal elder sharing the technique of weaving a finely coiled juncus basket, reminding us that Chumash were known for remarkable basketry techniques.

“Generations” shows a young mother lovingly caring for her child in a tule cradleboard before preparing acorn, one of the most important foods for Chumash people.

“Provision” is a bow hunter with his bounty of quail concentrates on the hunt alongside his dog.

In “Celebration,” the Bear Dancer honors the Bear, the most powerful animal in the Chumash world, and brings healing to the earth and all its people.

“Flames of Victory,” is the largest sculpture and serves as the center anchor of the sculptures. Through the flames of adversity, the ceremonial fire highlights the diverse Chumash world and tells the story of the tribe’s heritage.

The sculptures were completed in four stages from conception to one-fourth scaled models known as “maquettes” to full-sized sculptures in clay to the final step of molding and casting the sculptures in high quality bronze.

“My goal with this project was to transform the vestibule into a welcoming center. I wanted it to be a gathering place where all who enter will come to know more about the Chumash people – to remember, to reflect and to celebrate,” said Chen.

Santa Ynez

Located on Highway 246 in Santa Ynez, California, the Chumash Casino Resort is an age 21-and-older venue. In addition to owning and operating the Chumash Casino Resort on the tribe’s reservation, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians also owns Hotel Corque, Root 246 and the Hadsten House in Solvang and two gas stations in Santa Ynez.