Thousands gathered at Cal State Long Beach over the weekend to celebrate the 53rd annual Pow Wow, the longest-running and largest American Indian social celebration of its kind in Southern California.
The two-day event, which began on Saturday, March 14, and ends on Sunday, featured traditional dancing, singing and drumming at Puvungna, a site that is sacred to many Indigenous tribes in Southern California.
Dancers line up in front of the bleachers which are filled with onlookers during the Grand Entry Roundance to start the event. Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
A Grand Entry Roundance dancer passes by dancing to the rythm of the drums being played in the center of the sacred circle. Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
The American flag flies proudly behind the lead dancer that Brings all the intertribal dancers into the sacred circle for the Grand Entry dance during Cal State University Long Beach 53rd annual Pow Wow, Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Intertribal dancers, young and old, get together for the Grand Entry Roundance and greet each other with smiles. Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
An Elder particpates during the opening dance at the Puvungna Pow Wow in Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
A very young dancer participates in the intertribal Grand Entry Roundanace during the Cal State University Long Beach 53rd annual Pow Wow. Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
A young dancer performs around the sacred circle during the intertribal Grand Entry Roundance during the Puvungna Pow Wow at Cal State Universtiy Long Beach, Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
The drum circle sits in the middle of the sacred circle while dancers and singers move around them in rythm to the drums. Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Before the Grand Entry dance, youth from the event hand out candies and chips to the crowd during the giving ceremony. Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Youth dancers gather together for a photo op before the Grand Entry Roundance dance begins. Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Cal State University Long Beach hosts its 53rd annual Pow Wow at Puvungna on Saturday, March 14. Vendors at the event sit next to the CSLB pyramid. Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
A close-up of bells on one of the Bell Dancers dresses during the Cal State University Long Beach 53rd annual Pow Wow. Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
The crowds wait for authentic food during the Puvungna Pow Wow in Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
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Dancers line up in front of the bleachers which are filled with onlookers during the Grand Entry Roundance to start the event. Long Beach, March 14, 2026 (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Puvungna is located on the shared ancestral territories of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians — including Acjachemen Nation — and the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation. It historically spanned more than 500 acres, but is now just 22 acres on CSULB’s campus.
This year’s Pow Wow also featured dance contests, intertribal dancing, cultural presentations and gourd dancing. Traditional native foods, including mutton and beef stew, Navajo tacos and fry bread were on sale at the event, alongside both traditional and contemporary American Indian art.