Events

AUBURN BIG TIME-POW WOW 2025 Head Staff

Sierra Native Alliance (SNA) works with cultural, health and social service partners throughout the region to support the wellness of Native families, cultures and environments. SNA services include ICWA Advocacy, Substance Use and Behavioral Health Counseling, Family Wellness Education, Youth Leadership, Environmental and Cultural Activities.

Sierra Native Alliance welcomes the people who gather each year in fall during the time when bears are going to sleep. The artwork for this year’s event was created by local artist Eros Kidwell Keisner (Yurok/ Wiyot) age 15.

SNA is grateful for the following sponsors and donors: Placer Campaign for Community Wellness, Partnership Health of California, Placer Community Foundation, Chapa De Indian Health Clinic, Sacramento Native American Health Center, Stand Up Placer, Silver Store, Briar Patch and Bunker Insurance Solutions.

Our 2025 Pow Wow Committee

Roger Groghan, Shonnie Bear, Loren Nakai, Jeremey Stephens, Matthew Thompson, Mateo Ortega, Little Bear, Ursa Nakai, Shirley Kohli, Jessica Ornelaz, Jasmine Marlar, Lacy Hayes, Deborah Hearing, Yasmine Acuna and Anno Nakai.

Maidu Museum and Historic Site, 1970 Johnson Ranch Dr. Roseville, CA 95661. Walking In Our Moccs: Perspectives from Indigenous Artists isa community exhibition curated by Sierra Native Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Native families, cultures and environment in Placer County. The exhibition illuminatesthe experience of “walking in two worlds” through the eyes of contemporary Native American artists. Sierra Native Alliance’s Executive Director, Anno Nakai, states, “Walking in Our Moccs features artwork from youth to elders and creatively illustrates the coexistence of tribal lifeways and mainstream culture, including experiences that marginalize, oppress, uplift and connect Native people to sacred traditions.”

This dynamic exhibition includes over 45 artworks in a variety of media, including painting, photographs, jewelry, sculpture, prints, drawings and mixed media. Many of the original artworks are for sale and proceeds support both the artists and the museum.

Participating artists: Chris Archer, Madeline Odeominikwe Blackthorne, Brittany Burrows, Teresa Clark, Elizabeth Davis, Francisco Joseph Dominguez, Keith Edaakie, Joshua Frederick, Valentine Kai, Raymond LeBeau, Viola LeBeau, Meyokeeskow Marrufo, Xochitl Martinez, Alfred Melbourne, Ursa Nakai, Aya Nieto-Oakley, Christina Padilla, Stan Padilla, Joselyn A. Rodriguez, Devaney Rain Royalty, Bernadette Smith, Paul Stone, Deerstine Suehead, Liz Xedes. Youth Groups: Sierra Native Alliance Youth Leadership and United Auburn Indian Community Tribal School.

Opening Reception
Saturday, October 11 from 5:00pm-7:00pm

Maidu Museum & Historic Site is thrilled to invite you to the Opening Reception of Walking In Our Moccs: Perspectives from Indigenous Artists, a contemporary art exhibition featuring over 25 Native artists, as well as youth groups from the United Auburn Indian Community and Sierra Native Alliance. Admission is free! 

Inside Out: Word Cloud
Projection Workshop
Saturday, January 31 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Registration opens January 6
Free for all ages

In this digital media workshop, participants will create a personal word cloud portrait guided by the Sierra Native Alliance youth team. Through exploring themes of self-identity and personal perception, participants will generate word clouds that reflect their own stories. These words will be digitally mapped onto the body to form unique portraits, and each participant will leave with a finished digital artwork.

Closing Reception
Saturday, January 31 from 5:00pm-7:00pm

Join us for the closing reception of Walking In Our Moccs: Perspectives from Indigenous Artists. Celebrate the artists and their work one last time with community, conversation, and refreshments.