SUPPLEMENTS, ILLEGAL DRUGS AND NEEDLES ARE NOT ALLOWED. THE WORLD’S LARGEST POW WOW UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW AT EXPO NEW MEXICO. AND THIS YEAR IS AN EMOTIONAL EVENT. IT IS THE FINAL YEAR FOR THE GATHERING OF NATIONS, THOUSANDS MAKING THEIR WAY TO ALBUQUERQUE FOR THE CELEBRATION OF INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND COMMUNITY. AND FOR MANY, IT’S ABOUT MAKING SURE THOSE TRADITIONS LIVE ON THROUGH THE NEXT GENERATION. OUR ALIYAH CHAVEZ TODAY ASKING SOME KIDS ABOUT WHAT THEY’LL MISS AND LOVE THE MOST. HORSE PARADES, THE THE CONCESSIONS. AND I LIKE THE POWER TWO ALMOST LIKE EVERYTHING. I THINK WE ALL LIKE EVERYTHING ABOUT GATHERING OF NATIONS. WE FIND ALIYAH CHAVEZ RIGHT NOW IN THE ARENA. ALI. IT IS FRIDAY NIGHT, THE GATHERING. IT IS LOUD. IT IS VIBRANT. HOW ARE THINGS LOOKING THERE? HEY, SASHA. THAT’S RIGHT. THIS COMPETITION IS GOING STRONG. YOU CAN SEE THESE DANCERS HERE BEHIND ME. THESE ARE SOME OF THE BEST DANCERS IN NORTH AMERICA. AND THEY ARE HERE. COME ALIVE RIGHT HERE ON THE FLOOR IN THE POWWOW CIRCLE TONIGHT. MANY YOUNG DANCERS. IT’S ALSO WHERE SOME OF THE SWEETEST MEMORIES. FOR THE SMALLEST DANCERS. GATHERING OF NATIONS IS FAMILY AND MEMORIES THEY’LL CARRY FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. THIS IS BONNIE AND HER BROTHER JAY MARCUS FROM TOWAOC, COLORADO. I DANCE IN TINY TOTS. AND ARE YOU A JINGLE DANCER? YES. BONNIE IS THE 4TH OF JULY TINY TOT PRINCESS WITH THE FINAL GATHERING LOOMING, SHE SAYS SHE’S SAD ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR. MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT DANCING IS HAVING FUN AND DOING STUFF AND GETTING READY FOR THE POWWOW. NOVA IS VISITING FROM OUT OF TOWN. SHE SAYS SHE WAS EXCITED JUST TO FLY ON AN AIRPLANE TO GET HERE, BUT WHAT MATTERS MOST IS WHO SHE GETS TO BE WITH ALONG THE WAY. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT GATHERING? BEING OUT WITH MY COUSINS AND MY FRIENDS. MY NAME’S NOVA. I’M FROM NEVADA. THIS IS NOVI’S COUSIN WHO IS A FANCY AND JINGLE DRESS DANCER. WHAT DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU DANCE? I FEEL GOOD AND I FEEL KIND OF TIRED. THEIR OTHER COUSIN, WINONA. I’M THE UNR PRINCESS, SAYS SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO TAKING THE MICROPHONE AT THE CENTER OF THE POWWOW CIRCLE TO INTRODUCE HERSELF TO THE PEOPLE AS A TITLE HOLDER. I LOVE DANCING AT GATHERING. I LOVE DOING MY SPEECH AND I LOVE MAKING NEW FRIENDS. BUT HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY! THE FINAL GATHERING AS YOU JUST SAW, THIS CRAZY KIDS WHO WILL KEEP ITS SPIRI
Final Gathering of Nations powwow creates lasting memories for children
The Gathering of Nations, the world’s largest powwow, is taking place at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque for its final year, drawing thousands to celebrate Indigenous culture, community and traditions. For many of the youngest participants, the event is about family, joy, and creating memories they will carry for the rest of their lives. Bonnii, the Fourth of July Tiny Tot Princess, and her brother Jai-Markus from Towaoc, Colorado, are among the dancers. Bonnii, who dances in the tiny tots category, expressed her sadness about the event’s conclusion.”My favorite things about dancing is having fun and doing stuff and getting ready for the powwow,” she said. Nova, visiting from Nevada, said she was excited to fly on an airplane to attend the event but emphasized the importance of spending time with loved ones.”Hanging out with my cousins and my friends,” she said when asked what she loves most about the gathering. Nova’s cousin, Novi, a fancy and jingle dress dancer, shared her feelings about performing.”I feel good. And I feel kind of tired,” she said. Another cousin, Winoni, who holds the title of UNR Princess, said she looks forward to introducing herself to the crowd as a titleholder.”I love dancing at gathering. I love doing my speech, and I love making new friends,” she said. Tiny tots, featuring toddlers through 5-year-olds, will take the powwow circle on Saturday after the grand entry at noon. It is considered a highlight of the event, showcasing the spirit and joy of the youngest dancers.
The Gathering of Nations, the world’s largest powwow, is taking place at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque for its final year, drawing thousands to celebrate Indigenous culture, community and traditions.
For many of the youngest participants, the event is about family, joy, and creating memories they will carry for the rest of their lives.
Bonnii, the Fourth of July Tiny Tot Princess, and her brother Jai-Markus from Towaoc, Colorado, are among the dancers.
Bonnii, who dances in the tiny tots category, expressed her sadness about the event’s conclusion.
“My favorite things about dancing is having fun and doing stuff and getting ready for the powwow,” she said.
Nova, visiting from Nevada, said she was excited to fly on an airplane to attend the event but emphasized the importance of spending time with loved ones.
“Hanging out with my cousins and my friends,” she said when asked what she loves most about the gathering.
Nova’s cousin, Novi, a fancy and jingle dress dancer, shared her feelings about performing.
“I feel good. And I feel kind of tired,” she said.
Another cousin, Winoni, who holds the title of UNR Princess, said she looks forward to introducing herself to the crowd as a titleholder.
“I love dancing at gathering. I love doing my speech, and I love making new friends,” she said.
Tiny tots, featuring toddlers through 5-year-olds, will take the powwow circle on Saturday after the grand entry at noon. It is considered a highlight of the event, showcasing the spirit and joy of the youngest dancers.
