Last weekend, we held our 18th annual Chumash Inter-tribal Pow-wow at Live Oak Campground. It's called "inter-tribal" because people from numerous tribes come to perform. Every fall the pow-wow provides a chance for residents, right here in our valley, to enjoy American Indian singing, drumming and dancing by tribal members from across the country.

Our annual pow-wow has become the largest cultural event sponsored by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. But if you missed it, another chance to experience a bit of tribal culture is coming up.

A two-day gathering devoted to honoring and showcasing California-style native singing and dancing will be held at the Chumash Reservation on the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20.

The Chumash Culture Days are sponsored by our Cultural Department along with our Tribal Elders Council of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The council is a division of the tribal government charged with the responsibility to preserve cultural resources and maintain the tribe's heritage, history and traditions.