CSUSB and Student Affairs Partner with San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to Host Events Honoring Indigenous People

CSUSB and the Division of Student Affairs partnered with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to honor indigenous people, learn about Native American culture, and reflect on their traditions in a series of events held at Cal State San Bernardino. The weeklong celebration featured the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Pow Wow, California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference, and California Native American Day events. 

The local and campus community were invited to attend the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Pow Wow held Sept. 16-18. The event was a free three-day celebration that featured Southern California traditional bird singers and dancers, as well as North American and Canadian dancers and drum singing groups. Attendees enjoyed Native American crafts, fine art, and foods. In addition, San Manuel awarded $250,000 in cash prizes to contestants who competed in the Native American singing and dancing competitions. The Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU) and Recreation and Wellness staff and paraprofessionals played an instrumental role during the three-day celebration by providing event support.

This year, 1,800 elementary school children and teachers from throughout the Inland Empire attended the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference held Sept. 19-23. Students learned about Native American traditions, including language, music, basketry/pottery, and cordage. The workshops were facilitated in the SMSU affinity centers.

The annual California Native American Day event on Sept. 23 culminated the weeklong celebration. The event celebrated the unique and diverse culture of the indigenous people of California, and it featured Cahuilla birdsongs and dancing, as well as Miwok and Yurok singing and dancing. During the celebration, participants learned about Native American music and art of the Native peoples in the region.

For the event, Student Affairs’ paraprofessionals helped prepare the California Native American Day materials by assembling 2,000 elementary school souvenir bags. In addition, Carlos Gonzales, the First Peoples’ Center Coordinator, was the master of ceremony for the California Native American Day Breakfast. Robert Levi, CSUSB’s Elder in Residence, and CSUSB student Alex Espinoza of Native heritage served as speakers at the event, with Espinoza sharing his college experiences and the resources available at Cal State San Bernardino.