Gathering of Nations - Gathering of Nations
Committed to the advancement of Native American culture, Gathering of Nations, Ltd., serves as a leader among American Indian organizations. Founded in 1983, Gathering of Nations, a non-profit organization, hosts a number of national Native American programs, including the Miss Indian World Competition and Traditional Talent Presentations and the Indian Trader’s Market, both affiliated with its premier event, the annual Gathering of Nations Powwow.
Held at The University of New Mexico’s The Pit arena in Albuquerque, the annual Gathering of Nations Powwow remains the largest event of its kind in North America. The powwow includes members of hundreds of North American tribes and tribal bands, as well as representatives from tribes throughout the world, reflecting a global diversity of indigenous cultures. In addition, the Gathering of Nations Powwow hosts tens of thousands of visitors annually. Featuring a range of Indian arts and crafts, food, and wares for sale, the powwow showcases the best of Native American music, dance, and performance. The album 2010 Gathering of Nations Powwow: A Spirit’s Dance, the official recording of the 2010 Gathering of Nations Powwow, won the GRAMMY award for Best Native American Music Album that year. In addition to its role as creator and host of the year’s leading Native American powwow, Gathering of Nations remains devoted to charitable giving. The nonprofit sponsors a number of initiatives that assist American Indian individuals, groups, and communities. Throughout each year, Gathering of Nations subsidizes camp scholarships for children and provides computers for students with disabilities, and it has developed and implemented a culturally specific literacy program. The organization also contributes scholarship aid for American Indians enrolled at The University of New Mexico through the Gathering of Nations Academic Scholarship Foundation for Native American Students.