Colors • Beton
Rock, Mario Sanchez and Mark Sanchez
present flags at the 36th annual Cal
State Long Beach Pow Wow Saturday. Vince
Scott / Online
Forty-Niner
CSULB annual Pow Wow shines, despite rain
By Vince Scott
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer
The Walter Pyramid played host to the 36th Annual Cal State Long Beach Pow Wow
Saturday because of the rain forcing the event indoors for the first time since
the 1970s.
“
We were incredibly lucky for so many people to pull through, especially Jeremy
Effron events coordinator at the Pyramid,” said Becky Sanchez, president
of the American-Indians studies council.
Sanchez said the council began searching around for alternatives early in the
week when rain was forecast for the weekend.
“
We tried every place but everything else was booked,” She said.
The forecast required cancellation of Sunday’s part of the event, shrinking
the usual draw to the two day event from about 6,000 to 2,500 people.
Adults, teens and little children did Native American traditional, grass, shawl
and fancy dances to pounding drum rhythms and singing.
Faculty Adviser Craig Stone said because of the Sunday’s cancellation everything
was condensed.
“
The crowd numbers are down, but all the dancers are here, so we have to keep
everything tight and moving,” Stone said.
“
The important thing about Pow Wow is that indigenous people can get together
with family and friends in an urban environment and can be who they are in one
place,” said Larry Smith, KPFK radio announcer and professor in the department
of film and electronic arts. “It allows that expression to occur, which
is often difficult in an urban environment because space is so limited.
It’s
both socially and economically important.”
About 35 venders and artisans had wares on display throughout the arena. Hand
painted gourds, ponchos, beads, baskets, blankets and jewelry were exhibited.
Even the beautiful Irene Bedard, the voice of Pocahontas in the Disney movie
partook in the festivities.
Smith, a member of the Lumbee Nation, the largest nation east of the Mississippi,
said the American Indian Student Council should be commended “for doing
most of the work to make this happen.”
“
They put in 40 to 60 hours a week as the event draws near, making sure all the
school and state regulations are met and making sure they maintain cultural
protocol.”
“
[The Pow Wow] was the biggest thing that made me want to come to school
here,” said Sanchez, a member of the Yaqui Nation.
“
As long we have people still here, safe and happy that’s what’s
important,” she said in reaction to the rain.
The student council handed out several blankets and tote bags to faculty and
staff for being so helpful.
Also involved in presenting the event were Native American Alumni and Friends
Chapter, Division of Student Services, 49er Shops Inc. and Associated Students
Inc. John Dawson, San Carlos Apache, served as Master of Ceremonies and Leroy “JR” LaPlante,
Cheyenne River Sioux served as Arena Director.
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