The 22nd annual Native American Powwow and Cultural Days at the University of California, Davis, celebrating American Indian history and culture will be held Saturday through Friday, April 4-10. More than 6,000 Native Americans from the United States, Canada and Mexico are expected to participate in the public event through song and dance. The festivities begin with the powwow, to be held at Recreation Hall on Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, beginning at noon on both days. The weekend powwow is a re-enactment of certain spiritual and emotional aspects of Indian humanity, according to Christina Kirk, Native American Cultural Days chair. In addition to songs and dances, the program will also feature traditional American Indian music, arts and crafts, as well as food. "Every song, gesture and detail of the ornate clothing illustrates a part of Indian heritage as a people with roots in the past," Kirk said. "The powwow preserves Native American traditions of sharing, hospitality and generosity." The weeklong Native American cultural days celebration will continue on the UC Davis campus April 6-10, with lectures that highlight issues affecting American Indians. Beginning at noon on Monday, April 6, Indian dancers will perform on the Quad. In addition, there will be an arts and crafts show as well as an Indian taco booth. On Tuesday, April 7, Darryl Wilson will speak on "500 Years From Now" at noon on the Memorial Union patio. Wilson, a Native American student at UC Davis, has published research on the original native people of California that has appeared in respected academic journals. Recently, the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley made use of Wilson's talents in shaping a documentary film on the contribution of indigenous cultures since Columbus landed in 1492. A member of the Pit River Tribe, Wilson is currently working on an ethnography of Northern California Native American tribal groups. He was recently named to this year's All-USA Academic Team, sponsored by USA Today. He was among 20 undergraduates nationwide chosen for the honor. At 6 p.m. Tuesday there will be a panel discussion on "Native Americans and Education" in MU II of the Memorial Union. The panel will consist of Steven J. Crum, assistant professor, and Martha Macri, an assistant professor, both of UC Davis' Native American Studies program. Also participating in the discussion will be Tom Phillips, a Native American who is active in Indian issues. Wednesday's events feature Bobby Castillo speaking on "Political Prisoners and 500 Years of Resistance" at noon on the Memorial Union patio. Castillo is a political activist and member of the International Indian Treaty Council. A forum, "Resolving the Conflict Between Native Americans and Archaeologists," will be held at 6 p.m. in MU II of the Memorial Union. The forum will feature Robert L. Bettinger, professor of anthropology at UC Davis, and Rosemary Cambra, chair of the Muwekma Band of the Ohlone Indians. Henrietta Mann, a professor of Native American Studies at the University of Montana, and director of the Association of American Indian Affairs' religious freedom coalition project, will speak Thursday, April 9, on the "Native American Religious Freedom Act." The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. in MU II of the Memorial Union. On Friday, April 10, at noon, Jack Forbes, a professor of anthropology and director of Native American Studies at UC Davis, will speak on "Americanism and the Native Perception of 'Discovery'" on the Memorial Union patio. All events are free and open to the public.