California State University, Long Beach
IN-25: Innovation B

CSULB is somewhat unique in that it is situated on land once occupied by an Indian village known as Puvungna. To this day, Puvungna remains sacred to the Tongva/Gabrielino peoples and continues to serve as a gathering place for many tribes including the Juaneno/Acjachemen and Chumach. In recognition of this important cultural heritage, the university has taken steps to partner with the tribes to ensure that university activities recognize and preserve indigenous culture of the native peoples. Some examples of this effort include: Pow Wow For the past 47 years, California State University, Long Beach has hosted an annual Pow Wow, an American Indian social celebration, at Puvungna. The largest spring event of its kind in Southern California, the Pow Wow at Cal State Long Beach is focused on displaying the university’s strong American Indian presence. The two-day event features American Indian dancing, arts, crafts and food, as well as contests and inter-tribal dancing. Native foods such as mutton and beef stew, Navajo tacos, fry bread and Indian burgers are sold at the event, and American Indian vendors sell both traditional and contemporary American Indian art. http://web.csulb.edu/divisions/students/sld/american_indian_services/pow_wow/ Reburial of Remains In 2016, Native American remains and artifacts which were unearthed during construction of the university in the 1950s were reburied at Puvungna. Owing to the gravity of the event, the repatriation ceremony was attended by the CSU Chancellor Timothy White, CSULB President Jane Close Conoley, Director of the American Indian studies program Craig Stone, and representatives from different Native American tribes. http://www.daily49er.com/news/2016/09/25/csulb-partners-with-local-native-american-tribes-to-rebury-indigenous-remains/ Tribal Leader Blessings Local tribal elders and spiritual leaders are routinely involved in groundbreaking and ribbon cutting ceremonies for new facilities on campus. For example, at the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the future Student Success Center, a tribal representative sang a traditional Native American song to celebrate project. At other events, tribal leaders have offered prayers and blessings for the site of the project.