"The Gathering of Nations is the largest pow-wow in the United States and North America. It is held annually on the fourth weekend in April, on the Powwow Grounds at Expo NM, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Over 565 tribes from around the United States and 220 from Canada travel to Albuquerque to participate. (Wikipedia)

"Dance competitions are held in 36 categories, including different age group categories such as Elders (70+), Golden Age (55+), Adults (19+), Teens, and Tiny Tots. Other competitions include Northern Singers, Southern Singers, Women's Back-up Singing, and competition for Drum Groups and Drummers and various other special competitions. A pageant for Miss Indian World is held each year. The winner is chosen based upon personality, knowledge of tribal traditions, and dancing ability. There is also the Indian Traders Market featuring artists, crafters, and traders selling Native American and Indigenous arts and crafts.

"Additional activities during the festival are held at stage 49, a contemporary music and performance space where native musicians and others experience performance on a professional stage and in front of a large audience. There is also a native horse and rider regalia parade, honoring the horse culture among tribes, and a tee pee village. Gathering of Nations also participates annually in a literacy program, delivering over four thousand books to young children registered to dance."

"More than 3,000 participants, representing all 565 U.S. and 220 Canada indigenous tribes, enter the Tingley Coliseum at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. Billed as the largest such event in the world, the powerful Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque is felt as much as seen and heard, the percussion aligning tens of thousands of heartbeats in the audience during the two day annual event," the National Geographic Magazine says.

"The Gathering of Nations began in 1983, when University of Albuquerque Dean of Students and club advisor Derek Mathews organized a powwow for his many students. The university closed the following year, but word of mouth spread about the powwow.

"“We look forward to it all year,” Okanee says. “It’s a way for us to see friends and make new ones, and to feel the power and strength of the worldwide indigenous community. We’re still here and going strong, and it’s something to celebrate and share with the world.”

"Considered the most prominent powwow in North America, it will host tens of thousands of people and more than 700 tribes from throughout the United States, Canada, and around the world honoring three decades of Native American culture and traditions," the official Press Release says.

"The three-day event includes more than 3,000 traditional Native American singers and dancers, more than 800 Native American artisans, dozens of indigenous contemporary musicians and performers, and a wide variety of food vendors. A young Native American woman is also crowned Miss Indian World. Native American and indigenous women representing different tribes and traditions compete in the areas of tribal knowledge, dancing ability, and personality assessment. 

"The first Gathering of Nations was held in 1983 at the former University of Albuquerque. In 1984, the powwow was relocated to the New Mexico State Fair Grounds and eventually moved to its current location, the University of New Mexico Arena (known as "The Pit"), in 1986. Throughout the years, it grew to become the largest Native American powwow in North America, but still honors its original intent of offering a powwow contest that is fair to all dancers."

"In the past 41 years, the Gathering of Nations Powwow and Miss Indian World Pageant 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," the official website says.

"From those genuine and humble beginnings that the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow has evolved into the event you see today, as well as its role in many community outreach efforts. None of this could have been accomplished without the loyalty and dedication of good volunteers, friends, and family.

"It is our pleasure to welcome everyone to the Gathering of Nations. It has been said by many that the Gathering of Nations PowWow is the Mecca of Indian Country; while others have said, “There is a magic about the Gathering”. Many people from around the world have made the Gathering of Nations Powwow their travel destination. The Gathering of Nations has grown to become more than just a “Powwow“, it’s an experience! While the Miss Indian World Pageant has become the largest and most prestigious Cultural Pageant for young Native/Indigenous women over the years."

"The three-day event includes more than 3,000 traditional Native singers and dancers competing and entertaining a capacity crowd, and more than 800 Native artisans, craftsmen and traders displaying and selling their work. In addition, dozens of different indigenous bands will perform various musical genres on Stage 49, and vendors will offer a wide variety of food in the Native America Food Court and Powwow Alley," the Tulalip News says.

"As part of the Gathering of Nations, a young Native woman is crowned Miss Indian World and represents all native and indigenous people as a cultural goodwill ambassador. As one of the largest and most prestigious cultural pageants, Native American and indigenous women representing their different tribes and traditions compete in the areas of tribal knowledge, dancing ability, and personality assessment.

"For participants and guests traveling to the 30th Annual Gathering of Nations from outside the state, Southwest Airlines has special airfare deals and Enterprise Rent-A-Car has an exclusive rental rate. In addition, the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel – Albuquerque is the host hotel for the event, and is offering special rates for camping facilities at Isleta Lakes."

"The Gathering of Nations is North America’s largest Pow Wow! More than 3,000 indigenous, Native American, and Indian dancers and singers representing more than 500 tribes from Canada and the United States come to participate annually," the New Mexico Tourism Department says.

"All are welcome to this family-friendly event to come see colorful Native American Pow Wow dancing, to hear the songs, and become enlightened with emotional happiness. Browse aisles of shopping through the Indian Trader’s Market, enjoy the best of native foods, a horse & rider parade, and some of the best in Native American music performances and entertainment on Stage 49."

"The annual Gathering of Nations kicked off with a colorful procession of Native American and Indigenous dancers from around the world moving to the beat of traditional drums as they filled an arena at the New Mexico state fairgrounds," the Colorado Politics says.

"During the event, dancers slowly spiral their way, one by one, toward the center of the venue, making for a spectacular display. This marks the 40th year for the gathering, which has grown from humble beginnings in 1983 into a massive celebration with Indigenous people showcasing their cultures through dancing and singing competitions.

"Several hundred Native American tribes in the United States and First Nations in Canada are represented at the gathering, which has become Albuquerque's second-largest annual festival and brings in more than $20 million for the local economy each year."

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