Two conferences dealing with American Indian issues are planned next week at UC Davis:

California Indian Conference and Gathering -- 22nd annual, and the first to be held at UC Davis. An estimated 400 California Indian scholars, artists and community members are expected for two days of research presentations, elders' circles, "hand game" demonstrations, dance performances and health screenings, plus programs to enocurage American Indian youths to apply to college. Sponsors include the Department of Native American Studies and the Department of Linguistics. Free and open to the public. Oct. 26-27, Freeborn Hall, Memorial Union and other locations. More information: nas.ucdavis.edu/NALC/cicg. (A related exhibit, Basketry: A Collaboration of Nature and Creative Genius, is on display through Dec. 12 at the C.N. Gorman Museum; a reception at the museum is set for 4 p.m. Oct. 26.)

The Economic and Social Impact of Indian Gaming in the United States -- The program for this daylong forum includes Philip Hogen, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, discussing the "Legal Basis for Indian Gaming." Other speakers and their topics include Richard Pomp, law professor, University of Connecticut, "The Taxation of Indians and Those Doing Business With Them"; Dean Gerstein, vice provost and director of research at Claremont Graduate University, "Gambling Behavior and Consequences: Social and Economic Impacts on Consumers"; and Terri Sexton, economics professor, California State University, Sacramento, "The Impact of Indian Gaming on Local Public Finance." Sponsored by UC Davis' Center for State and Local Taxation, and the Institute of Governmental Affairs. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 26, Ballroom A, ARC. Registration and more information: www.iga.ucdavis.edu/Events/indian-gaming.