Happy thirtieth anniversary to the Gathering of Nations this month! The Native American Indian nonprofit organization was “founded in 1983 to promote Native American, American Indian (indigenous) culture & tradition, and dispel stereotypes created about Native American Indian and indigenous people” (1). The Gathering of Nations hosts the Annual Gathering of Nations PowWow, the Miss Indian World Traditional Talent Presentations, Stage 49 (contemporary and traditional Native American music and entertainment), and the Indian Trader's Market the last full weekend of every April in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
How does this relate to MCC? We have “the largest population of Native Americans among local colleges, with almost 300 Native Americans enrolled [in 2010/2011]. MCC’s Native American Initiative “provides support services for students--ranging from tutoring to mentoring--and … outreach to the community … “ MCC also “offers a diversity and community studies associate’s degree that incorporates a Native American perspective” (4) and a Native American Cultural Club for students, which sponsors and attends local events.
Powwows are “the Native American people’s way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships, and making new ones.” (2) “Considered the most prominent powwow in North America, the Gathering of Nations PowWow will host tens of thousands of people and more than 700 tribes from throughout the United States, Canada, and around the world … The three-day event, held April 25-27 and open to “all people (Indian and non-Indian),” includes “more than 3,000 traditional Native American singers and dancers, more than 800 Native American artisans, [and] dozens of indigenous contemporary musicians and performers.” (3)
To experience a little of what a powwow offers, try the following:
• Find a powwow calendar and photos of powwows at https://powwows.com
• Listen to traditional music on the Gathering of Nations iHeart Internet radio station (https://www.iheart.com/#/live/Gathering-of-Nations-Radio-6154/) or one of the radio stations listed on the Powwows.com Native American Music page (https://www.powwows.com/native-american-music/)
• In this area, attend the Ganondagan State Historic Site’s Native American Dance & Music Festival on July 27-28 (while not called a powwow, it features some of the aspects of one) (https://visitfingerlakes.com/events/702/native-american-dance-music-festival/)
• Attend a powwow elsewhere in New York State this spring or summer – see three listed at
https://www.crazycrow.com/New-York-powwow.php
This article is part of a monthly series from the Diversity Council about topics related to diversity and multiculturalism.
Sources:
1. https://www.gatheringofnations.com/
2. https://www.powwows.com/what-is-a-pow-wow/
3. https://www.gatheringofnations.com/powwow/
4. https://on.rocne.ws/MD2J9u
Debbie Mohr
Diversity Council (ETS: Libraries)
04/16/2013 |