California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) will host its 39th annual Powwow on Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, on the campus’ Central Quadrangle. Admission and parking to this American Indian social event are free.
Powwow at CSULB is an American Indian celebration, and it is the largest spring event of its kind in Southern California. Focused on displaying the university’s strong American-Indian presence, the two-day event will feature Native-American dancing, arts, crafts and food beginning at 11am each day and running until 10pm on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday.
In addition to contests and inter-tribal dancing, there will be gourd dancing with dancer registration closing at 2pm on Saturday. All dancers and drums are invited.
“Our celebration this year will have many special aspects, including a men’s traditional and men’s fancy dance specials,” said Craig Stone, a professor of American Indian Studies who has served as the faculty advisor to the CSULB Powwow Committee for the past two decades. “We have the honor of introducing two new dancers into the arena whose families have been a part of our celebration for many years. We also expect to have many CSULB American Indian alumni traveling from out of state to support our head lady dancer, Donna GoingSnake-Falls Down and our head man dancer, Ben Wolf.”
As always, American-Indian vendors will be selling both traditional and contemporary American-Indian Art. Foods such as corn soup, Navajo tacos, fry bread and Indian burgers will be available for purchase.
Parking is readily available at no charge and the campus is handicapped accessible. It is strongly recommend spectators bring folding chairs.
Among the CSULB groups co-sponsoring this year’s event are the American Indian Studies Department, American Indian Student Council, Native American Alumni and Friends Chapter, the Division of Student Services and Associated Students Inc.
For more information, call (562) 985-8528 or email powwow@csulb.edu. For a campus map and directions, visit the Web site at www.csulb.edu/maps.
