American Indian art and culture will be celebrated at the 22nd annual First Nations Fresno State Powwow, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Fresno State’s O’Neill Park (Barstow and Woodrow avenues).

The free, public event begins with the gourd dance at 11 a.m., followed by the grand entry at noon with traditional American Indian singing, dancing and special guest presentations. The American Indian Veterans Association will serve as the event’s color guard.

The Host Northern Drum will be provided by the Young Wolf Crew and the Host Southern Drum will be by the Hummingbird Singers. Drum groups sing the songs at the beginning and end of a powwow session and generally provide music for the dancers, said First Nations vice president Julian Garza, a graduate student in Social Work, who is a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona and a U.S. Air Force veteran.

In addition to performances, the event will feature arts and crafts vendors and food concessions. The closing ceremony is at 9 p.m.

The event is presented by Fresno State student club First Nations and co-sponsored by the Africana and American Indian Studies Program, the College of Social Sciences and Associated Students Inc.

Powwow co-chair Daniel Mejia, a Fresno State senior art major and member of First Nations, explains that this is a family event; alcohol, drugs and pets are prohibited.

Parking will be available in Lots P and Y on Barstow between Chestnut and Maple avenues.

For more information contact Mejia at 209.495.5824, or Garza at 559.903.2882.