An American Indian dancer performs during the 30th Annual Powwow. Photo by John Saringo-Rodriguez / Daily Sundial.

The American Indian Student Association (AISA) celebrated the 30th Annual CSUN Powwow on Nov. 30 at the Chicana/o House Lawn. The event drew hundreds of onlookers and participants, some coming from as far away as Hawaii. The Powwow coincided with the last day of Indigenous Awareness Month.

American Indian dancers and singers donned their intricately patterned garb and gave traditional performances for the hundreds of spectators and attendees. The event also included many vendors selling American Indian-themed jewelry, textiles and other decorative art.

“[Visibility] is extremely important, because the average American does not know that [American Indians] are still around,” said Yadira Torres, sociology major and CSUN AISA club president. “Los Angeles has the biggest population of American Indians in the country… [The powwow] is a way to show this culture.”

It’s a population that Scott Andrews, director of CSUN’s American Indian Studies Program and powwow coordinator for the last five years, said reaches 200,000 people in Los Angeles County alone.

“[The powwow] is a way to pass down history and culture,” Andrews said. “To maintain tradition, CSUN’s visibility within the Native American community and in the L.A. community is important.”

For more: 30th Annual CSUN Powwow Attracts Hundreds From the Community (Daily Sundial)

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