For Immediate Release

September 25, 2003

Contact: The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
www.nativeamericanday.com

Native American Day Celebration Culminates Weeklong
California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference
Event will feature traditional Native American bird singers, brush dancers and numerous educational activities

San Bernardino, CA -- Traditional brush dancers, Southern California bird singers, food and arts will highlight the fifth annual celebration of Native American Day on Friday, September 26 at 6 p.m. The activities will be held in the Lower Commons area at California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB). The event, which is free and open to the public, marks the culmination of the weeklong California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference (CICAC) held each year at CSUSB.

"California Native American Day is a great way to cap a weeklong educational experience for students and teachers alike," said James Ramos, California Native American Day Project Director. "We invite the public to join us and learn more about the history of California and its Native peoples."

Since 1999, nearly 10,000 students and teachers have participated in the CICAC, a weeklong forum offering a variety of educational activities about Native Americans indigenous to California, through workshops, educational resources and informative discussions by tribal members and academics. This year, nearly 1,500 area students participated in events such as basketry, bird singing and pottery classes.

"It is wonderful to see both children and adults learning more about California Indians," said John Futch, Coordinator of the Cross Cultural Center at CSUSB. "The popularity of this program grows tremendously every year."

Former Governor Ronald Reagan officially acknowledged the contributions of California's Native Americans in 1968 when he signed a resolution proclaiming the fourth Friday of each September as American Indian Day. The resolution intended to bring to light Indian culture and the historic struggles of California's Native peoples. For years, California tribes celebrated the fourth Friday of September by renewing their ties to the Earth and keeping alive the ways of their ancestors.
Eventually, in 1998, the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill No. 1953 (Baca), establishing Native American Day as an official state holiday. Today, people of all ages celebrate California Native American Day by learning more about the culture, heritage and traditions of California's Indians.

About the CICAC
The CICAC is sponsored by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and organized by the tribe's Tribal Unity and Cultural Awareness Program. Founded in 1999, the CICAC was developed to coincide with California Native American Day. Partners in the event include California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB), Dr. Herb Fischer, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, the San Bernardino City Unified School District, the City of San Bernardino, and the California State Department of Education.