Pow Wow at California State University, Long Beach to Celebrate 40th Anniversary With March 13-14 Event

California State University, Long Beach’s (CSULB) annual Pow Wow, an American Indian social celebration, returns to the campus’ Central Quad on Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14. Admission is free, and parking is $4.

The 40th annual event, which will feature American Indian dancing, arts, crafts and food, begins at 11 a.m. each day and runs until 10 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

“We are celebrating 41 years of American Indian studies, the oldest American Indian studies program west of the Mississippi, and the 40th annual Pow Wow,” said Craig Stone, professor of art and American Indian studies at CSULB and faculty advisor to the campus’ American Indian Student Council and Pow Wow. “We are looking forward to the next 40 years and beyond.”

In addition to contests and inter-tribal dancing, there will be gourd dancing with dancer registration closing at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 13. All dancers and drums are invited.

Members of the head staff and their affiliations are:

• Master of Ceremony: John Dawson (San Carlos Apache)
• Arena Director: Victor Chavez (Diné)
• Head Man Dancer: Les Peters (Yakama)
• Head Lady Dancer: Laurie Whitecloud (Otoe-Missouria/Diegueño)
• Head Southern Singer: TBA
• Host Northern Drum: Horse Thief (Southern California)
• Host Gourd: Golden State Gourd Society
• Spoonkeeper: Michael Cruz (Chumash)

Native foods such as mutton and beef stew, Navajo tacos, fry bread and Indian burgers will be on sale at the event, and American Indian vendors will be selling both traditional and contemporary American Indian art.

The largest spring event of its kind in Southern California, the Pow Wow at CSULB is focused on displaying the university’s strong American Indian presence.

The event is presented by CSULB’s American Indian Studies Program, American Indian Student Council, American Indian Student Services, Student Life and Development, the Division of Student Services, and Associated Students Inc.

For additional information about the 40th Annual Pow Wow celebration at Cal State Long Beach, call 562/985-8528, e-mail powwow@csulb.edu or visit the Web site at www.csulb.edu/powwow. A campus map and directions can be found at www.csulb.edu/maps.


-- Shayne Schroeder