LONG BEACH - Cal State Long Beach's annual Pow Wow, an American Indian social celebration, returns to the campus's Central Quad March 12-13.Admission is free and parking is $5. The 41st annual two-day 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. The largest spring event of its kind in Southern California, the Pow Wow is "focused on displaying the university's strong American Indian presence." "We are celebrating 42 years of American Indian studies, the oldest American Indian studies program west of the Mississippi, and the 41st annual Pow Wow," said Craig Stone, professor of American Indian studies and art at CSULB and faculty advisor to the campus's American Indian Student Council and Pow Wow Committee. "We are looking forward to the next 41 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 March 12. All dancers and drums are invited. Native foods such as mutton and beef stew, Navajo tacos, fry bread and Indian burgers will be on sale, and American Indian vendors will be selling both traditional and contemporary American Indian art. For more information, call (562) 985-8528, e-mail powwow@csulb.edu or visit csulb.edu/powwow.

********** Published: March 3, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 46