The Inaugural UC Davis Big Time
By Muriel Ammon
A big ‘O’ for all who contributed to the inaugural UC Davis Big Time this April 3. California Natives from North to South filled the University Credit Union Center rocking regalia, pine nuts and abalone, staples by Native Queen Designs, and the cutest maroon Big Time t-shirts. It was a snapshot into today’s California Native world of fashion. Special thanks to the singers, dancers, and vendors, as well as the UC Davis Native American Studies Graduate Student Association, the UC Davis Powwow Committee, American Indian Recruitment and Retention, the Native Dads Network, and the UC Davis Cross Cultural Center for coming together for this special event. Support for this Big Time is greatly appreciated. In 50 years of powwows on Davis’ campus, this was the first Big Time to be held – the first throughout the UC system. A success on the whole, with the tastiest frybread!
It felt right coming together in this way on Patwin land. The positive energy generated in the room landed in smiles, greetings to relatives, and introductory conversations between fast forming friends. Though being an inaugural event, it felt thoroughly familiar. Taking my rounds through the vendors, dazzled by carved abalone, dogwood blooms upon ribbon skirts, and pine nuts strung all in a row, I felt an overwhelming sense of relaxation. One that only comes from being surrounded by your community. Myself, coming from Santa Barbara for this weekend of festivities at UC Davis, I was struck by the dedication of folks to show up and show out in support of the Big Time.
No:k’ingxa:n niwho:ng-xw. Na:ya’diwilto’n niwho:ng-xw. Na:ky’a’diwing’aw niwho:ng-xw. We ate well, we danced well, we sang well. Ts’ehdiyah! The rich and beautiful diversity of California was represented by Patwin dancers, Su nu nu Shinal, Xabenapo dancers, Maidu dancers, Point Arena Coast Pomo, and the California Kutli Crew.
One question kept arising. What are the differences between a Big Time and a powwow? Both involve large gatherings of Indigenous people with food, dance, and music. And yet, one is uniquely California Native. Chimaway Lopez, PhD candidate in Davis’s Native American Studies department, described Big Times as coming from Native California traditional gatherings and celebrations. He shares, “People have always gathered in times of abundance… of acorns, of fish … to share the wealth and feed people. We all have our own names for these gatherings. The Big Time is a continuation of this old practice.” Big Time is rooted in our ways and our lands.
