San Manuel Pow Wow Committee Announces 2014 Annual Celebration

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ annual Pow Wow is set to return for its 19th year Oct. 10, 11 and 12, 2014 at California State University, San Bernardino. Tribes from throughout North America will participate in competitions for dancing, drumming and singing among other activities, according to the San Manuel Pow Wow Committee. Organizers look forward to carrying on the tribe’s tradition of gathering at the Pow Wow and renewing relationships with Native and non-Native brothers and sisters. Traditionally, the Pow Wow is also a time to reaffirm cultural and spiritual roots, both for individual tribes and for Native Americans as a whole. “The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is honored to bring together members of tribes from throughout North America and members of our community,” said Tom Ramos, San Manuel Pow Wow coordinator. “By coming together each year, not only do we celebrate and share our cultural traditions with each other but we help keep our traditions alive by passing them on from generation to generation, and share them from tribe to tribe.” In addition to competitive performances, the Pow Wow will feature non-competitive intertribal dancing and exhibitions including Bird Singing and Dancing, which is Native American music indigenous to Southern California and the Colorado River region. Admission will be free and open to the public. Attendees will also have an opportunity to win prizes in a spectator dance contest.