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The Gathering of Nations is the world’s largest powwow, drawing indigenous tribes from around the world, but event co-founder Melonie Mathews said the event doesn’t just reinforce old cultural ties, it creates new ones.
“We have had a couple weddings, one well-known dancer from Oklahoma and his bride-to-be was from Taos, and they decided that the only place where all of their families and friends would be at is the Gathering of Nations,” she said. “Sure enough, we had a full-blown wedding in The Pit before the powwow. That was a really special moment, so every year they spend their anniversary at the gathering.”
The event draws more than 2,500 performers and 800 artisan vendors to the event, with tribes hailing from as far away as Canada and New Zealand. This three-day powwow features traditional and nontraditional forms of dancing and singing, along with food and jewelry vendors. The event is open to the public and allows people of all ages to dance and participate, Mathews said.
“It really has become a catalyst for young people to keep involved in their own culture, their own tribe, their own powwows,” Mathews said.
Mathews said she grew up alongside the event because she and her father, Derek Mathews, had the idea for the event. Her father watched her perform at other powwows when she was a child, and she said they noticed that many of the events were poorly judged. This is where the idea for Gathering of the Nations was born.
Mathews said all the money received goes directly back into the event to cover facility rental fees, staff, insurance and other expenses.
“We are a nonprofit organization. It’s not like we’re a for-profit trying to gauge and make money,” she said. “This event is literally for the people, about the people, not about us and not about making money.”
This year’s head man dancer, Kenny Pratt Jr., said he’s wanted to perform and compete at the gathering since he was a child.
“They’re the who’s who of dancers, they’re all there to compete,” Pratt said. “Just the aspect of going to one of the biggest powwows, it makes you feel good that you’re there celebrating dance, you’re celebrating your lifestyle, you’re celebrating life.”
Pratt has been a dancer for the past 22 years and said he learned how to dance when he was 5 years old. He said he dances to please his elders and those who don’t have the ability to dance. While performing at the Shelton Powwow in Washington state earlier this year, Pratt said he was approached by a few elders who offered him money because they liked his dancing.
“It gives good feeling to them, puts a smile on their face, and they’re like, ‘Wow, he’s really good. I like the way he dances,’” he said. “The way I was brought up, that was instilled in me, to dance for the elders that are there, because that’s who brought up the way of life, kept the powwow going, the spirituality going, so you honor them while you’re dancing.”
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This year’s event will also provide contemporary, mostly indigenous entertainment such as musicians, performers, comedians and magicians, said entertainment coordinator Melissa Sanchez.
This year’s performing artists range in genre from rock and hip-hop to country and reggae, providing an opportunity for bands to broaden their fan base, Sanchez said.
“The artists that come in are not only of the highest caliber, but this particular opportunity is to be a part of the Gathering of Nations powwow,” she said. “There’s a prestige that comes with it because not everybody is chosen to be on the stage.”
Gathering of Nations
Traditional presentation
Thursday, 7 p.m.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
11000 Broadway Blvd. S.E.
Powwow, dancing, singing and music
Friday and Saturday
The Pit
1414 University Blvd. S.E.
Doors open 10 a.m. both days, run until late at night (unspecified)
$17 per day
GatheringOfNations.com
