16th annual Big Time celebration set for April 4
by Erandi Hernández Aguilar
The Indian Tribal & Educational Personnel Program (ITEPP) will be holding its 16th annual California Big Time & Social Gathering at Cal Poly Humboldt’s Forbes Complex West Gym starting at 11 a.m. There will be two shuttle stops at the general parking lot at Student & Business Services and Behavioral & Social Sciences buildings.
“The purpose of Big Time & Social Gathering has been our Native Spring Preview for potential Cal Poly Humboldt students, which gives the Indigenous community a space and time to share their culture’s songs, dances, & traditions with the opportunity to meet current CPH Native students, staff and faculty on campus,” said Sloan Mckelvy, academic co-advisor of ITEPP on campus.
This year’s Big Time is expected to host 60 local organizations and vendors selling cultural wear, homegoods and products. There will also be food trucks and a children’s section.
ITEPP will have an information table for community members who may need assistance or have questions.
An opening prayer will be offered by a Wiyot member and an ITEPP alumni, followed by dance demonstrations by nine different dance groups.
Dancers include family of staff and students along with alumni of ITEPP. Many members and families of ITEPP have been involved in the Big Time since its inception. A focal point of the Big Time is acknowledging the Native presence, stories and experiences of past, present and future generations.
The Big Arena, will be a designated space where the dance demonstrations will be taking place. Community members are encouraged to be mindful of the demonstrations taking place and to go around the arena. It is requested that no pictures be taken during cultural dance demonstrations. ITEPP will have a designated photographer for the event.
“It’s just a great time for Native folks to be together and then non-Native community members to really get an idea what it’s like to be in an all Native setting, it’s really empowering that way,” Mckelvy said.
ITEPP will also be honoring ITEPP alumni, elders and upcoming graduates.
“Don’t just have the mindset that you’re there to buy items, but you’re also there to honor the Native folks who did go into higher education and got their degrees,” Mckelvy said. “Because of course, this is to honor our upcoming graduates and so we also want to look back at who has been part of ITEPP for a very long time.”
As the Big Time comes to a close, they will end the event with a closing prayer.
“I guess my biggest takeaway for community members is just to realize how big of a presence we hold within Northern California,” Sloan said. “I would hope that they would want to come back and learn more about the different cultures that we have up here.”
Mckelvy also shared that UC Davis will be having their first Big Time this year.
“It’s cool to know that other universities are kicking off,” Sloan said. “Cause yeah we’re loud and proud!”
Contact:
Sloan Mckelvy
Academic Co-Advisor
ITEPP
(707) 826-5199
Images provided by Sasheen Raymond, coordinator of ITEPP, from the ITEPP Archives.
