By The 44th annual Pow Wow celebration will return to campus this weekend.
The two-day event, the largest spring event of its kind in Southern California, offers the traditional American Indian arts, crafts, food and dance that the Pow Wow has been historically known for.
This year’s Pow Wow, though, will include several new features for students and visitors to enjoy, said Craig Stone, director of the American Indian Studies Program.
During the event, students will be able to participate in a lecture called “Pow Wow 101,” a teaching event where students can ask American Indian alumni about the Pow Wow.
In previous years, the master of ceremonies would explain the activities and the meaning of the event, Stone said. The new lecture will include a slide show and students are encouraged to walk in and out throughout the event.
The Pow Wow, which was introduced in the late 1960’s, attracts tribes from as far as West Virginia and unites generations of traditions by giving non-Native Americans and Native Americans the opportunity to join together in celebration, Stone said.
“It really is a homecoming,” Stone said. “This is where people bring their children in the arena.”
Stone adds that this year’s event will also feature some surprises.
“Don’t be surprised if you recognize some of the dancers from [films like] ‘Dances With Wolves’ and ‘The Lone Ranger,’” he said.
The Pow Wow will be in the central quad Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
