Mind Uncharted Explore. Discover. Learn.
Annual Summer BigTime and Powwow Celebrates Native-American Culture
Summer Harrison-Little Cloud stands with Selieanna LeRoy, 5, right, and Serenity Hill, 4, in yellow during the grand entrance for the 7 Generations Intertribal Council Annual Summer BigTime Powwow 2023 at Solano Community College in Fairfield on Saturday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
Drums beat, voices chanted and dancers from numerous Native-American tribes turned out in beads, feathers and brilliant ceremonial clothes on Saturday to celebrate Solano County’s annual Summer BigTime and Powwow.
“As soon as the drums start sounding, it hits that part of you that says, ‘I’m home,'” said Melissa Mendoza, the organizer of the gathering through the 7 Generations Intertribal Council. Mendoza has been attending powwows since she was 16 and is passionate about passing down traditional songs, dances, and ways of life to the next generation.
Preserving Traditional Arts and Crafts
Sherry Caldwell and Christine Hill, members of the Yurok tribe, grew up traveling between powwows with their grandmother and uncle, who were involved in traditional arts and crafts. Caldwell, who had a booth at the event, continues the family tradition by creating jewelry out of beargrass and other natural materials.
Hill, who also had a booth at the event, sells blankets, hats, and other merchandise with her sons. She emphasizes the importance of involving younger generations in powwows to keep the traditions alive.
Passing on Cultural Heritage
Judging by the enthusiastic turnout, younger generations are just as passionate about the old ways as their elders. Young people in full traditional dress danced alongside older dancers under the hot Fairfield sunlight, showcasing their moves and athleticism.
Kiona Young, 17, adorned with a beadwork crown as the Stockton Community Powwow Princess, showcased her dancing skills and has traveled far and wide to attend cultural gatherings.
Vallejo resident Mary Ann Buggs, a member of the Caddo, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, expressed how events like the Summer BigTime and Powwow help her feel a sense of belonging and reconnect with her cultural roots.
Buggs believes that Native Americans are often overlooked in mainstream culture, and events like these play a crucial role in combatting this erasure.
Mendoza, the organizer, hopes that powwows can provide an opportunity for people outside the Native American community to learn and engage with their rich culture.
“We’re here, we do matter, and we’re going to continue to fight for that,” she added.
