April 23-25
For the past 32 years, the Gathering of Nations has grown from a small powwow, to one of the biggest in the world. As an annual festival where Native people can come together each year and celebrate their shared culture, the Gathering of Nations has also become a place where singers and dancers can participate in competitions that are fair to everyone. Held at the University of New Mexico Arena in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Gathering of Nations song opens the powwow and the competitions and programs begin from there.
Miss Indian World
Beginning before the celebrations, the Miss Indian World Competition will be held April 21-25, with the winner being crowned. This pageant is considered one of the largest and most prestigious cultural pageants for young Native women. Each woman competes in the areas of public speaking, traditional presentation, will have a personal interview, as well as dance and write an essay. Each category is judged based on the contestants’ own cultural knowledge and how well she represents the culture.
Last year’s winner of Miss Indian World, Taylor Thomas, will crown the next Miss Indian World on Saturday as the new winner. Some of the duties of the winner include traveling extensively through the United States, Canada, and internationally to present herself as a role model to the young and old. The next Miss Indian World will help educate and demonstrate the beauty of Native American culture and represent the Gathering of Nations through her travels, just as others in the past have done.
Stage 49
Considered the biggest and best stage at the Gathering of Nations, Stage 49 is instrumental in launching new talents and showcasing existing and established talents. Featuring Native American and Indigenous traditional and contemporary artists, there’s music for everyone on Stage 49 including rock, reggae, blues, dance, country, R&B, hip hop, and even some comedy acts! Last year alone there were over 30 performers on Stage 49.
Contests/Competitions
Along with the music on Stage 49, Gathering of Nations also offers visitors to see traditional Native dancing and singing. With over $200,000 in cash and prizes to be awarded to the best of each of the categories for both the young and adults, as well as hand drum singing contests, and southern and northern singing and dancing, these are some dances and competitions to not miss. There’s also special competitions that will be performed such as siblings team dance, junior boy’s grass dance, women’s all ages empowering dance and written contest, and world invitation hoop dance.
Indian Traders Market
Do you enjoy traditional native foods, artwork, and crafts? Well, then the Indian Traders Market if for you. The Gathering of Nations has a market where they invite Native American Artists, Crafters, Institutions, and Indian Traders to come and be a part of the market that demonstrate only positive images for and about Native Americans. Only allowing authentic arts and crafts to be sold, the GoN prides itself upon maintaining the highest quality of vendors to be included in the Indian Traders Market. Also, you are in luck this year! 1st Tribal will be having a booth at the Gathering of Nations, so feel free to stop by and visit us!
So come down to Albuquerque, New Mexico on April 23-25th to see some of the best Native American dances, singers, and artisans at the Gathering of Nations. Don’t forget to also come visit us at our booth! If you have any questions or would like to know more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us be either leaving a comment below or calling us at (866) 235-4033.