Historic Powwow Series Concludes With Final Gathering in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—For Kimberly Greene of the Oneida Six Nations, the Final Gathering of Nations powwow represented two things at once: a debut experience and a final performance.

“It’s my first and my last dance,” said Greene, whose family traces its roots to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls in New York. “I just wanted to come and experience it—I’m excited to be here.”

Greene has taken part in intertribal gatherings since 1993, dancing in traditional regalia and building a lifelong connection to cultural practice and identity through powwow participation.

Even as the event marked a final chapter in Albuquerque, she described it less as an ending and more as a continuation in another form.

“There’s plenty of other powwows to go to,” she told The Epoch Times.

Held from April 24 to April 25 at Expo New Mexico’s Tingley Coliseum, the Final Gathering of Nations was promoted as the largest intertribal gathering in North America, drawing participants and audiences from across the continent.

Organizers said the decision to conclude the long-running event came after more than four decades, citing growing external pressures that made future planning increasingly difficult.

“With that in mind, we have chosen to close this chapter by celebrating its incredible history at the 2026 event,” they said.

From its origins, the Gathering of Nations was intended as a space in which native communities could come together each year to share culture, celebrate traditions, and participate in structured, respected competition among singers and dancers.

As of 2026, there are 575 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska native tribes in the United States, spanning 36 states.

The 2020 Census recorded nearly 10 million Americans reporting Native American ancestry.

Over time, the Gathering of Nations powwow developed into a major cultural gathering that helped inspire what became known as “powwow fever,” encouraging younger generations to reconnect with tribal identity and ceremonial traditions.

The event was founded in 1983 by non-native organizer Derek Matthews and eventually grew to include more than 700 tribes from across the United States, Canada, and other regions.

At its peak, the gathering brought together more than 3,000 dancers and drum groups, welcomed about 100,000 attendees, and extended its reach to global audiences through livestreaming.

Gathering of Nations Ltd., a federally recognized nonprofit organization, stated that it would continue its broader cultural mission even after the final powwow event.

The celebration itself has long combined traditional and contemporary elements of native culture, including song, dance, music, art, and food.

This year’s program also included competitive dance events, drawing large crowds into the arena throughout the weekend.

A major feature of the gathering was the Indian Trader’s Market, which hosted more than 300 artisans and vendors offering handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, and artwork.

Additional highlights included a horse and rider regalia parade, a teepee village featuring one of the largest wooden teepee structures, and the outgoing ceremony for Miss Indian World.

According to organizers, the event first began at the University of Albuquerque before being formally named the Gathering of Nations powwow in 1984.

It later moved to the New Mexico State Fairgrounds for a brief period before expanding to larger venues as attendance increased.

For many years, it regularly filled the University of New Mexico’s “Pit,” even as seating changes and renovations altered capacity over time.

In 2017, the gathering relocated to Expo New Mexico, where Tingley Coliseum became its primary venue.

This year, anticipation was visible well before entry, with long lines forming as attendees waited to enter the coliseum and surrounding grounds.

Among the performers was Ian Tacan of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in Manitoba, Canada, who attended the Gathering of Nations powwow for the first time.

Dressed in ceremonial regalia and powwow face paint, he reflected on the significance of the event’s closing chapter.

“Sad. It’s been going on for so long; it’s sad to see it end,” Tacan told The Epoch Times.

One of the event’s hosts told the audience inside the coliseum that “this might be the last dance, but it will be the best one.”

Weaver Loera, a member of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe in Needles, California, said the annual gathering had long been a meaningful tradition for many attendees and participants.

“We’re kind of bummed about it,” he said. “Honestly, I have no idea [what happens next]. People will find places to go. People will find other powwows.”