WHICH IS AT NOON. IT IS TRULY A HIGHLIGHT OF THE POWWOW. WE WERE ALWAYS DANCING BESIDE EACH OTHER. KOAT HAS BEEN COVERING THE GATHERING OF NATIONS FOR DECADES, AND FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS WE’VE BEEN USING THE IMAGE YOU SEE BEHIND ME. EVER SINCE THE 2016 GATHERING, IT’S JUST A PICTURE. ONE OF OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS TOOK DURING THE EVENT, BUT IT’S HAD A GREATER IMPACT THAN WE COULD HAVE EVER THOUGHT. THE WOMAN IN THIS PHOTOGRAPH CALLED OUR NEWSROOM YESTERDAY SAYING THAT IS HER STANDING NEXT TO HER NOW LATE FIANCE, AND SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING HIS FACE WHEN WE DO OUR ANNUAL COVERAGE EVERY SINGLE YEAR. WELL, TODAY WE GOT TO FINALLY MEET LEANNE AND HEAR THE STORY OF HER LOVE, ELTON. I HAD SO MUCH RESPECT FOR HOW HE GREW UP AND WHAT HE LEARNED, THAT HE WAS WILLING TO SHARE THAT WITH ME. SO IT WASN’T A STRUGGLE. IT WAS JUST SOMETHING THAT JUST CAME SO NATURALLY THAT WE JUST DID IT TOGETHER. AND HE’S LIKE, THIS IS WHAT I WANT US TO DO. AND IF IT WAS, IF IT MEANT FOR US TO BE OUT ON THE POWWOW TRAIL, THEN LET’S DO IT, LEANNE SAYS SHE GETS SO EXCITED EVERY YEAR WHEN WE START O
Gathering of Nations photo holds special meaning for dancer
Photograph shared how the image has become a cherished reminder of her late fiance
A photograph taken during the 2016 Gathering of Nations has become a meaningful annual reminder for a dancer of her late fiance. Leanne Anthony, a dancer featured in the image, called KOAT’s newsroom to share her story. She identified herself as the woman in the photograph, standing next to her now-late fiance, Elton. Anthony said she eagerly anticipates the station’s annual coverage because it allows her to see his face again. “I have so much respect for how he grew up and what he learned and how he was willing to share that with me. So, it wasn’t a struggle; it was something that came so naturally that we just did it together, and he’s like, ‘This is what I want us to do.’ And, if it meant for us to be on the powwow trail together, then let’s do it,” Anthony said. Anthony shared that she gets excited every year when KOAT begins its coverage, knowing she will see the love of her life again through the photograph.
A photograph taken during the 2016 Gathering of Nations has become a meaningful annual reminder for a dancer of her late fiance.
Leanne Anthony, a dancer featured in the image, called KOAT’s newsroom to share her story. She identified herself as the woman in the photograph, standing next to her now-late fiance, Elton. Anthony said she eagerly anticipates the station’s annual coverage because it allows her to see his face again.
“I have so much respect for how he grew up and what he learned and how he was willing to share that with me. So, it wasn’t a struggle; it was something that came so naturally that we just did it together, and he’s like, ‘This is what I want us to do.’ And, if it meant for us to be on the powwow trail together, then let’s do it,” Anthony said.
Anthony shared that she gets excited every year when KOAT begins its coverage, knowing she will see the love of her life again through the photograph.
