LONG BEACH, Calif. — Eric Boyhay is a student at California State University, Long Beach and is a member of the Kiowa and Paiute Native American tribe.

He’s a third-generation, proudly continuing the legacy of his family, who were among the pioneers in creating the powwow community at Cal State Long Beach in the 1950s, which has flourished over the decades, preserving their Native American heritage.

Boyhay leads the college’s powwow group, which showcases the cultural and traditional dances practiced by many Native Americans and First Nations communities.