CSU San Bernardino
Date
September 19th - 21st 2025
Contact
About Pow Wow
San Manuel Pow Wow is a three-day celebration free to the public and features Southern California traditional bird singers and dancers, as well as North American and Canadian dancers and drum singing groups. In addition, there is also vending from artisans representing Indian tribal nations from all across North America and Canada.
Since its beginning in 1996, the San Manuel Pow Wow has remained a celebration of Indigenous cultures and a symbol or Indigenous resiliency–open to all in the spirit of friendship.
During the three-day event, the Pow Wow is a sacred space where people from across Indian Country can share their traditions, spirituality and individual style through sounds, motion and art. Native American dishes–such as crowd-favorite foods like fry bread–as well as a diverse array of authentic Native American traditional crafts and fine art will be available for purchase from vendors.
San Manuel is proud to present more than $250,000 in cash prizes, which will be awarded to contestants competing in the Native American dancing and singing competitions.
We look forward to hosting our Native American relatives: dancers, drum groups, vendors, spectators, and honored guests to celebrate the very best of Indian Country.
Daily Schedule
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5pm (Subject to change)
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Pow Wow Arena
Blessing of the Grounds
Before the first day of the Pow Wow begins, an elder blesses the grounds with sage and offers a prayer for good spirit and a good time for everyone attending.
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6pm (Subject to change)
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Pow Wow Arena
Bird Singing and Dancing
The name for Bird Songs is derived from the bird migration that parallels people moving through their territory—telling the story of creation, animals seen along the way and sacred places. Bird Dancers are usually women who face the singers bringing movement and beauty to the songs with rhythmic movement and their signature regalia.
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8pm (Subject to change)
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Pow Wow Arena
Grand Entry
The Pow Wow begins with a grand entry procession—sacred in nature—into the arena. The procession traditionally follows a particular order: flag bearers (usually military veterans); Indian royalty (elders, tribal and organizational leaders, princesses and other dignitaries); head dancers, and then dancers (in full regalia and dancing).
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Midnight (Subject to change)
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Pow Wow Arena
Retreat Colors
After the spiritual closing ceremony marking the official end of the Pow Wow, a quitting song is performed. People in attendance stand in silence and remove their caps/hats until the song is over and the flags are removed from the arena.
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11am (Subject to change)
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Pow Wow Arena
Gourd Dancing
The Gourd Dance is considered a social or ceremonial dance conducted prior to the day’s Grand Entry. The gourd rattle used is actually a metal cylinder filled with beads and decorated with leather, beads, string, feathers and horsehair.
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Noon (Subject to change)
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Pow Wow Arena
Bird Singing and Dancing | Ft. The Tuolumne Band Of Me-Wuk Indians
The name for Bird Songs is derived from the bird migration that parallels people moving through their territory—telling the story of creation, animals seen along the way and sacred places. Bird Dancers are usually women who face the singers bringing movement and beauty to the songs with rhythmic movement and their signature regalia.
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1pm (Subject to change)
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Pow Wow Arena
Grand Entry
The Pow Wow begins with a grand entry procession—sacred in nature—into the arena. The procession traditionally follows a particular order: flag bearers (usually military veterans); Indian royalty (elders, tribal and organizational leaders, princesses and other dignitaries); head dancers, and then dancers (in full regalia and dancing).
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6pm (Subject to change)
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Pow Wow Arena
Bird Singing and Dancing
The name for Bird Songs is derived from the bird migration that parallels people moving through their territory—telling the story of creation, animals seen along the way and sacred places. Bird Dancers are usually women who face the singers bringing movement and beauty to the songs with rhythmic movement and their signature regalia.
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8pm (Subject to change)
-
Pow Wow Arena
Grand Entry
The Pow Wow begins with a grand entry procession—sacred in nature—into the arena. The procession traditionally follows a particular order: flag bearers (usually military veterans); Indian royalty (elders, tribal and organizational leaders, princesses and other dignitaries); head dancers, and then dancers (in full regalia and dancing).
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Midnight (Subject to change)
-
Pow Wow Arena
Retreat Colors
After the spiritual closing ceremony marking the official end of the Pow Wow, a quitting song is performed. People in attendance stand in silence and remove their caps/hats until the song is over and the flags are removed from the arena.
-
11am (Subject to change)
-
Pow Wow Arena
Gourd Dancing
The Gourd Dance is considered a social or ceremonial dance conducted prior to the day’s Grand Entry. The gourd rattle used is actually a metal cylinder filled with beads and decorated with leather, beads, string, feathers and horsehair.
-
Noon (Subject to change)
-
Pow Wow Arena
Bird Singing and Dancing
The name for Bird Songs is derived from the bird migration that parallels people moving through their territory—telling the story of creation, animals seen along the way and sacred places. Bird Dancers are usually women who face the singers bringing movement and beauty to the songs with rhythmic movement and their signature regalia.
-
1pm (Subject to change)
-
Pow Wow Arena
Grand Entry
The Pow Wow begins with a grand entry procession—sacred in nature—into the arena. The procession traditionally follows a particular order: flag bearers (usually military veterans); Indian royalty (elders, tribal and organizational leaders, princesses and other dignitaries); head dancers, and then dancers (in full regalia and dancing).
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6pm (Subject to change)
-
Pow Wow Arena
Announce Winners | Retreat Colors
After the spiritual closing ceremony marking the official end of the Pow Wow, a quitting song is performed. People in attendance stand in silence and remove their caps/hats until the song is over and the flags are removed from the arena.
Vendor Information
With respect to Indian culture, Native American artists only. Vendor booths are 10’x10’. All vendors need fire extinguishers. Availability is limited and no walk-up vendors, please. For more information, email: [email protected]
Photo Gallery
Origins of San Manuel Pow Wow
In 1996, Tribal Citizens Cruz Chacon and Tom Ramos were instrumental in founding the San Manuel Pow Wow. The Pow Wow was established during a critical period of revitalization for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, following a century of struggle on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near San Bernardino, California. This challenging period was marked by a lack of resources and awareness of the Tribe, prompting the need for social and economic revival. Cruz Chacon's vision for the Pow Wow was to create a gathering that would not only unite tribal people but also provide a platform to share and support Native American cultures including San Manuel’s.
The San Manuel Pow Wow has played a significant role in changing the narrative about San Manuel, opening minds to see the Tribe as a cultural people with deep roots in their ancestral lands of Southern California. Every year, thousands of visitors attend the pow wow, which serves as a gateway to a culture that they may live close to but were unaware of its existence. According to Tom Ramos, “There was a time not too far off when people didn't fully understand the cultural importance of our Tribe's presence in Southern California. As San Manuel became a significant employer and governmental partner, we dedicated ourselves to raise awareness about our heritage and the heritage of other Native Americans. The San Manuel Pow Wow highlights our Marra’yam (Serrano) culture and traditions while welcoming thousands of others to celebrate their own Native identities. We take great pride in our heritage as an Indigenous nation and welcome all those who wish to learn more about our tribe and other Native American peoples."
The San Manuel Pow Wow has grown to be one of the largest in Southern California with more than 20,000 attendees. It's free and open to the public. It's also a reflection of the generosity of the Tribe. As Cruz Chacon did from the start, San Manuel feeds all dancers and singers over the course of the gathering. Dancers and drum groups pay no entry fees, and the prize money is generous. Vendors also pay no booth fees. It is a showcase of Indigenous cultures--a symbol of resilience and a builder of understanding between Native and non-Native communities.
Sponsors
Venue
Location
California State University San Bernardino
Address
5500 University Pkwy, San Bernardino, CA 92407