Hundreds Of Thousands Expected At Native American "Gathering Of The Nations"

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.,  -- The world's largest gathering of Native American and indigenous people will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico between April 22 and 24, 2010.  The 27th Annual Gathering of Nations, considered the most prominent Native American powwow in the world, will host more than 150,000 people and more than 500 tribes from throughout the United States, Canada, and around the world celebrating their culture and traditions through dance, music, food and indigenous dress including feathers, bells, jingles and fringes.

The three-day event will include more than 25 different indigenous bands performing on Stage 49.  They will play a wide range of musical genres including country, reggae, rhythm and blues, hip-hop, and rock 'n' roll.  In addition, more than 3,000 Native American singers and dancers will compete and entertain a capacity crowd, and more than 600 Native American artisans, craftsmen and traders will display and sell their work.  Dozens of vendors in the Native Food Court will offer guests a wide variety of food choices ranging between southwestern-style cuisine and traditional Native American fare.

As part of the Gathering of Nations, a young Native American woman will be crowned Miss Indian World and represent all native and indigenous people as a cultural goodwill ambassador.  Twenty-seven Native American and indigenous women representing their different tribes and traditions will compete in the areas of tribal knowledge, dancing ability, and personality assessment.

Considered one of the leading folk festivals in the world, the Gathering of Nations opens with the Miss Indian World competition on April 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Albuquerque Convention Center.  The "Grand Entry" kicks off the powwow onFriday, April 23 at 12:00 p.m. where thousands of Native American dancers simultaneously enter the stadium dressed in colorful regalia to the sounds of hundreds of beating drums.  This years event will be held outdoors at the University of New Mexico's University Stadium in Albuquerque and lasts through Saturday, April 24.

Tickets cost $15 per day and can be purchased at the door during the event.  The Gathering of Nations can be followed on Twitter.com by going to Twitter.com/GONPowwow, Twitter.com/GONStage49, and Twitter.com/MissIndianWorld

SOURCE Gathering of Nations