CSU Long Beach 53rd Annual Powwow

Date: March 14 – 15, 2026
NEW LOCATION: INTRAMURAL RUGBY AND SOCCER FIELDS
Presented by the American Indian Studies Program, American Indian Student Council, American Indian Student Services, Division of Student Affairs, Student Life and Development, and Associated Students, Inc.

California State University, Long Beach’s annual Pow Wow at Puvungna, an American Indian social celebration, is the largest spring event of its kind in Southern California. The Pow Wow is focused on displaying the university’s strong American Indian presence. Admission and parking are free.

The two-day event, which will feature American Indian dancing, arts, crafts and food begins at 11 AM each day and runs until 10 PM on Saturday and 6 PM on Sunday. In addition to dance contests and inter-tribal dancing, there will be California Indian Cultural Presentations, Gourd dancing with Dancer Registration closing at 2 PM on Saturday. 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 at the event, and American Indian vendors will be selling both traditional and contemporary American Indian art.

A campus map and directions can be found at www.csulb.edu/map.

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A message from this year’s powwow t-shirt designer:

“Shiyáx Máyts’ki (Good Day)👋🏼 !!

I’m Maral Nazarian-Peters (Yakama/Navajo), the designer for the 2026 LB Pow Wow at Puvungna t-shirt! I was honored to be asked by the committee to design the shirt for the 3rd year in a row.

As an homage to where we started, this year’s shirt design showcases the olive tree where generations of dancers have circled around for over 50 years. The design includes a dancer with a mortar board to signify our Native students in higher-ed that continue to uplift our communities. I had the help of our committee and mentor Art Neri in finding the right way to showcase the legacy our Native Community has built on campus.

We hope to continue our tradition down in the Intramural Rugby Field for this next generation of dancers to continue the LB Pow Wow at Puvungna legacy !! 🪶”