North America's largest powwow to end
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Dancers prepare for the grand enterance at the Gathering of Nations in April 2017 in Albuquerque, N.M. Photo: Russell Contreras/Axios
The Gathering of Nations, a celebration of Indigenous dancing, music and art from around the world in what has become North America's largest powwow, will end next year, organizers announced.
Why it matters: The ending closes a chapter in Native American history that has been mentioned in movies and novels and brought hundreds of thousands to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for more than 40 years.
Driving the news: Organizers announced on Saturday that the cultural event will conclude in 2026, marking its final edition.
- They shared the news via email and social media but did not explain the decision.
- "After 43 incredible years of bringing together thousands of dancers, singers, artists, and visitors from around the world, this chapter will come to a close with one final celebration," organizers wrote on the event's Facebook page.
- Organizers didn't respond to Axios' request for comment.
Zoom in: The annual event is one of the largest convenings of Indigenous people in the world, allowing artists and musicians to share their work.
- Competitions highlight work and many careers have been launched at the gathering.
Yes, but: Organizers have faced criticism over the years for the high fee to set up booths and for rising ticket prices.
- The New Mexico fairgrounds, the event's current host, may face renovations soon under a state plan.
Zoom out: The Gathering of Nations began in 1983 in a gym at what is now St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, later relocating to Expo New Mexico shortly thereafter.
- The event later moved to the University of New Mexico and is now held at the New Mexico fairgrounds, where the final gathering is scheduled for April 24-25, 2026.
- Over time, the Gathering of Nations evolved into one of North America's most celebrated powwows, gaining recognition across popular culture—from books to films.
- In the 1998 movie Smoke Signals, for instance, a character remarked that the event was such a powerful symbol of pan-Indian unity that, had it existed in 1492, it might have deterred Columbus from ever landing.
Context: It's not the only large powwow in the U.S.
- Others include the Denver March in Colorado in March, Red Earth in Oklahoma City in March and Crow Fair in Montana in August.
