Signature Events and Traditions

Celebrating Achievement & Culture

Annual American Indian Graduate Honoring Ceremony

Impact: Celebrating graduates with personalized Pendleton stoles, attended by university president, tribal leaders, and families. A tradition that honors both academic achievement and cultural identity.

California's American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival (CAIIFF)

Impact: Over a decade of excellence featuring premiere screenings, exclusive filmmaker Q&A sessions, live musical performances, theatrical productions, and transformative youth workshops, establishing CAIIFF as the definitive Indigenous film festival in California.

Native American Heritage Month Programming

Impact: Monthly events featuring bird singers, pow wow dancing, storytelling with Dr. Stan Rodriguez, Miss Kumeyaay bingo, and hands-on workshops for beading, ribbon work, and traditional crafts.

Campus Visits & Outreach

Impact: Regular visits from Sherman Indian High School, Noli Indian School, and tribal youth groups, with student research assistants providing tours and sharing their CSUSM experience.