The Redding Rancheria hosted its 7th annual Big Time celebration from June 26 to 28, a weekend-long event featuring Native culture and tradition. The three-day event, hosted at the Win-River Resort and Casino, featured hourly performances from dance groups and singers gathered from across 18 different tribes.

Big Time Celebration

Big Time is a large, traditional gathering of California Native American tribes in a celebration of abundance and community. This year was the Redding Rancheria’s seventh year hosting a Big Time celebration. Jack Potter Jr., the Redding Rancheria’s Tribal Chairman, said that Big Times were historically a coming together of tribes, particularly to share resources.

“The neighboring tribes of villages would share a dance, and we would share food and resources with them,” he said, “and this went on for about a month. That’s why it was called a Big Time.” During these traditional celebrations, tribes would come together to trade, gamble, and strengthen bonds, sometimes forming alliances and marriages, Potter noted.

Last weekend’s event was open to all community members, both Native and non-Native, and gathered thousands to partake in and honor Native culture. Beyond the performances and vendors, the festivities also included a handgame tournament. Tribal Chairman Jack Potter Jr. reflected that despite getting little rest, he was “fully energized” throughout the course of the event.

“That is what we get from these dances and songs. They re-energize us, ground us, and keep us going,” he said, “and that’s what Big Time is all about.”

Original reporting: Shasta Scout (Redding) — read the source article.