MALIBU—On Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April  12, the City of Malibu will be hosting the 17th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering at Malibu Bluffs Park located at 24250 Pacific Coast Highway.

“Pow Wows are the Native American people’s way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships, and making new ones. This is a time method to renew Native American culture and preserve the rich heritage of American Indians,” according to Powwows.com.

“Continuing a generations-long tradition of Powwows in California, Native Americans from hundreds of tribes all over the western and southwestern states will gather at Malibu Bluffs Park to sing, dance, socialize and heal,” according to the city’s statement.

The event will begin with a performance of gourd dancers led Native American actor Saginaw Grant, as well as an invocation and prayer led by Chumash-Tataviam elder Alan Salazar.

The Chumash, whose name translates to “bead maker” or “seashell” people, lived along the California coast for about twelve thousand years. The first settlement was documented over 13,000 years ago near the Santa Barbara coast.

The Powwow will feature a variety of Native American foods, arts and crafts, including traditional Native American fry bread, as well as Native American tribal ceremonies, dance, special guest performances, Chumash history storytelling, and an arts and crafts project for children.

This family-friendly cultural festival is free and open for all to attend. Saturday hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Grand Entry at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday, hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a Grand Entry at 12:00 p.m. Parking is available on the corner of Civic Center Way and Webb Way, with free shuttle rides available up to Malibu Bluffs Park and back.