About Us

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California. San Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of self-governance and provides essential services for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social, economic and cultural development. As the Indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains and high deserts, the Serrano people of San Manuel have called this area home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region.

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San Manuel Pow Wow

  • Start : September 19,2025
  • End : September 21, 2025
  • Timing : 11am - Midnight
  • Location : 5500 University Pkwy, San Bernardino, CA 92407
  • 5pm (Subject to change)
  • 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.

  • 6pm (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.

  • 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).

  • 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 | 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.

  • 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).

  • 6pm (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.

  • 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).

  • 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).

  • 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.