"The Chumash are the biggest donors to charities in Santa Barbara County in general and the Valley in particular. Earlier this year, the Chumash Foundation announced $148,000 in grants to a variety of nonprofits.

Since forming their own foundation six years ago, they have made $413,000 in grants. In past years, they gave about $3 million to the local high school to upgrade the football stadium, and made a grant to the city of Buellton to pay for a motorcycle police officer.

Their website has a long list of nonprofits and government organizations they have supported, including:

A commitment to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department for five years for a firefighter-paramedic position.
Purchase of a search-and-rescue vehicle for the county Sheriff's Department.
Purchase of thermal imaging cameras for the Lompoc Fire Department.
A $50,000 donation to Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital for equipment for the hospital's radiology lab.
A $10,000 donation to the Santa Barbara County Foodbank to ensure that no needy family in the county was without a turkey during Thanksgiving.
Nearly $160,000 worth of forensic equipment for law enforcement agencies throughout Santa Barbara County."

Get the Story:
Harris Sherline: Consider the benefits generated by the casino (The Solvang Valley News 10/6)

Another Opinion:
Preservation of Los Olivos: Chumash Casino tribe the first government? (The Santa Ynez Valley Journal 10/6)

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Vincent Armenta: Chumash Tribe shares facts about land plans (9/29)