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Over the past 42 years, the Gathering of Nations^[1] has grown from a simple dream into one of North America's most celebrated annual festivals, known for its fair competitions, cultural significance, and impactful community outreach.

Gathering of Nations
Gathering of Nations, Albuquerque, NM - April 2007
Genre	Pow wow
Dates	24-26, April 2025
Location(s)	Expo New Mexico 300 San Pedro NE Albuquerque, NM 87108
Years active	Since 1983; 41 years ago (1983), at the University of New Mexico
Attendance	Over 105,000 (2023)[2]
Website	Official website

The Gathering of Nations is the largest pow-wow in the United States and North America.^[3] It is held annually on the fourth weekend in April, on the Powwow Grounds at Expo NM, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Over 565 tribes from around the United States and 220 from Canada travel to Albuquerque to participate. The event has a significant economic impact, generating approximately $24 million for Albuquerque in 2019.^[4] The Gathering of Nations employs nearly 300 people during the event.^[5]

Dance competitions are held in 36 categories, including different age group categories such as Elders (70+), Golden Age (55+), Adults (19+), Teens, and Tiny Tots. Other competitions include Northern Singers, Southern Singers, Women's Back-up Singing, and competition for Drum Groups and Drummers and various other special competitions. A pageant for Miss Indian World is held each year. The winner is chosen based upon personality, knowledge of tribal traditions, and dancing ability. In 2024, Kassie John from the Navajo Nation was crowned Miss Indian World.^[6] There is also the Indian Traders Market featuring artists, crafters, and traders selling Native American and Indigenous arts and crafts.

Additional activities during the festival are held at Stage 49, a contemporary music and performance space where native musicians and others experience performance on a professional stage and in front of a large audience. Stage 49 hosts Indigenous traditional and contemporary artists, offering performances across genres like Rock, Blues, Reggae, Hip Hop, and more.^[7] The event features the Horse & Rider Regalia Parade, showcasing traditional attire and honoring the horse culture among tribes.^[8]

The show has also performed on national television, with five live performances on the NBC Today show. The 2010 Gathering of Nations Pow Wow's album A Spirit's Dance, which was produced by SOAR records owner Tom Bee,^[9] won a Grammy award for Best Native American music album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.^[10]

The Gathering of Nations was founded by Derek Matthews.^[11]

The Gathering of Nations has been held at different event locations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dating back to at least 1990 through 2017 it was held at the University of New Mexico Arena (The Pit).^[12][13] In May 2017, the Gathering of Nations, Limited parted ways with the University of New Mexico, not only affecting the location of future pow wows, but also ending the Gathering of Nations Scholarship Fund. Part of the proceeds earned at the pow wow went toward the fund, which helped pay for students to attend the University.^[14] The scholarship had been active for 27 years, supporting over 100 students.^[14] Organizers of the 2020 event pivoted from an in-person gathering to one that streamed video in order to abide by COVID-19 lock down mandates.^[15] The pow wow streamed virtually in 2021, as well.^[15]

The Gathering of Nations has been a hub for advancing popular and social movements. At the 1991 Gathering of Nations, Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills and Donny Belcourt, who qualified for the 1992 Olympic trials, spoke about the formation of a separate American Indian Olympic team.^[16] Unite Now Indian Olympic Nation, or UNION, is the organization pushing for this team.^[16]

During the 2000 pow wow, funds were raised to give actor and stunt double Running Deer a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.^[17]

Musical artist Litefoot invited Andre 3000 to attend the Gathering of Nations after OutKast's performance of their song Hey, Ya at the 2004 Grammy's, which featured demeaning imagery of Native Americans.^[18]

In 2008, Stage 49, the contemporary music venue at the Gathering of Nations, was named as a performance space for Native musicians.^[19] Kevens is one artist who has played Stage 49.^[19]

The Electric 49 was an annual Native American Music concert held at the Powwow.^[20]

The concert was originated/created by the group Red Earth in 1998, and saw eight annual editions since that year. Since 2006, however, there has not been another festival, as Red Earth remains on hiatus. The Electric 49 focused on highlighting artistically challenging Native American Musicians throughout the Americas, and its goal was to highlight contemporary Native music.

Throughout the years, the Electric 49 has featured Lil Dre,^[21] Red Earth,^[20] The Cremains,^[20] Robert Mirabal, Ethnic DeGeneration, Star Nayea, Native Roots, Casper, Querosene Jacare (Jack) (of Brazil),^[20] Cisco, Derek Miller, Stoic Frame, DJ Abel and Quese IMC. True to the diversity of contemporary native music, festival performers have been from across numerous genres including Heavy metal, Reggae, Blues, Hip hop, New Mexico music, and Waila (Chicken Scratch).

• Gathering of Nations Pow Wow 1999 (2000)

• Photo Gallery from 2017 Gathering of Nations Powwow
• Gathering of Nations Web Site
• Videos from Gathering of Nations
• Photos from Gathering of Nations
• Live Webcast of the 2019 Gathering of Nations