Albuquerque, NM – March 8, 2011 – The world’s largest gathering of Native American and indigenous people will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico between April 28 and 30, 2011. The 28th Annual Gathering of Nations, considered the most prominent Native American powwow in the world, will host tens of thousands of people and more than 500 tribes from throughout the United States, Canada, and around the world celebrating their culture and traditions through dance, music, food and indigenous dress including feathers, bells, jingles and fringes.
The three-day event will include more than 35 different indigenous bands performing traditional and contemporary musical genres including country, reggae, rhythm and blues, hip-hop, and rock ‘n’ roll. In addition, more than 3,000 Native American singers and dancers will compete and entertain a capacity crowd, and more than 600 Native American artisans, craftsmen and traders will display and sell their work. Dozens of vendors in the Native Food Court will offer guests a wide variety of food choices ranging between southwestern-style cuisine and traditional Native American fare. In fact, the music from last year’s Gathering of Nations was honored by The Recording Academy with a GRAMMY® Award in the Native American music category.
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As part of the Gathering of Nations, a young Native American woman will be crowned Miss Indian World and represent all native and indigenous people as a cultural goodwill ambassador. Dozens of Native American and indigenous women representing their different tribes and traditions will compete in the areas of tribal knowledge, dancing ability, and personality assessment.
“We expect that this year’s Gathering of Nations will be a special celebration for the participants and attendees as ‘A Spirit’s Dance’, the CD from last year’s powwow, received the 2011 GRAMMY Award in February. An added attraction this year will be the dance performance and presentation by the Aztec Indians of Mexico. For the first time in more than one thousand years, they will return to the site of the current-day arena which is part of their ancestral lands” said Derek Matthews, founder of the Gathering of Nations. “The Gathering of Nations returns indoors this year and will take place inside the ‘PIT,’ after being held outdoors due to renovations. With the renovated arena, we expect the powwow to be bigger, better and more accommodating to participants than before. From the drum and dance competitions to the musical performances, this year’s Gathering of Nations is sure to be an exhilarating experience for everyone.”
Considered one of the leading folk festivals in the world, the Gathering of Nations will be held at the newly renovated University of New Mexico’s University Arena (known locally as “The Pit”)
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in Albuquerque and will begin on Thursday, April 28 with registration for singers and dancers. Later that evening, the Miss Indian World competition begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel – Albuquerque, just south of the Albuquerque city limits. The crowning will take place on Saturday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. at “The Pit.” The much anticipated “Grand Entry,” where thousands of Native American dancers simultaneously enter the stadium dressed in colorful outfits to the sounds of hundreds of beating drums, begins at noon on Friday, April 29.
Tickets cost $15 per day and can be purchased in advance or at the door during the event. For participants and guests traveling to the Gathering of Nations from outside the state, Southwest Airlines has special airfare deals. In addition, the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel – Albuquerque is the host hotel for the event and is providing special room rates and camping facilities as well. For more information regarding purchasing tickets, airfare and hotel accommodations visit www.gatheringofnations.com.
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