American Princess. Photo by Kimber Wallwork-Heineman
Pow wow dancer. Photo by Kimber Wallwork-Heineman
GON News:
The Gathering of Nations (GON) three day event starts Thursday evening, April 23 with the Miss Indian World Talent Presentations at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Downtown Albuquerque.
The Gathering of Nations PowWow is a two day and night event, April 24-25; also included with the price of the Gathering of Nations PowWow admission is the Indian Traders Market and Stage 49.
The Gathering of Nations PowWow is held at the UNM Arena “The Pit” in Albuquerque. The Gathering of Nations is an experience for all people (Indian and Non-Indian) to see the colorful PowWow dancing and to hear the songs and become enlightened with emotional happiness.
More than 3,000 indigenous/Native American/Indian dancers and Singers representing more than 500 tribes from Canada and the United States come to Gathering of Nations PowWow annually to participate socially and competitively.
In the past 32 years, the Gathering of Nations has grown from an early, simple dream to one of the world’s most recognized annual festivals. From the beginning, the concept has always been to produce an event where Native people can come together each year to celebrate and share culture; and a place where singers and dancers can feel confident that competition is fair to all.
From those genuine and humble beginnings that the Gathering of Nations PowWow has evolved into the event you see today, as well as its role in many community outreach efforts. None of this could be have been accomplished without the loyalty and dedication of good volunteers, friends and family.
It was here at the Gathering of Nations that “powwow fever” has shed its warmth on such a wonderful lifestyle, and continues to be of great appeal and intrigue to young people interested in learning more about their own personal tribal traditions and the powwow way.
Flint Carney, a longtime friend and member of the Kiowa tribe, who said, “The greatest thing about the Gathering of Nations is the respect that is shown to all Native people of the world.”
This is the way of powwow life and teachings, which are provided and handed down from the elders to the younger generations. The Gathering of Nations experience does not end when you leave and head for home, but rather continues in your heart and mind, remains with you down the road to the next event, powwow or your own personal family gatherings.
