Gathering of Nations Postponed By Governor Without Consultation?

It looks like Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham may have messed up again. This time, she has upset the Native American tribes by announcing the cancellation of the Gathering of Nations powwow without, according to the tribes, consulting with them first. 

The Governor claims otherwise.

KOB reported:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The organizers of the Gathering of Nations are asking for an apology from the governor's office after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the mega-event would be canceled amid coronavirus concerns. 

Organizers say that no one from the Gathering of Nations was contacted by the governor's office prior to the announcement. Gov. Lujan Grisham made the announcement during a press conference Wednesday morning announcing the first "presumptive positive" cases of coronavirus in New Mexico.  

"We are proactively and aggressively canceling large public events that we have control over and we are advising strongly that local government and the private sector follow suit," Gov. Lujan Grisham said.  "The Gathering of Nations is hereby postponed because what we want to do is minimize the out-of-state travelers who can have been exposed in a number of ways from coming into the state and then exposing each other and other New Mexicans." 

Organizers said the move was very disrespectful. Gathering of Nations is the largest event of its kind in North America.

To read more, go here.

Gathering of Nations 2019 Pow Wow

Above, many tribes and pueblos will be represented at the Gathering
of Nations Pow Wow like these in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the start of every month, the Gallup Walmart is crowded with people from the various Indian tribes and pueblos for their monthly shopping for food and supplies. The locals here generally refer to it, humorously, as the "Gathering of Nations".

With that in my mind, while driving into Albuquerque last weekend on Interstate 40, a huge billboard advertising the 2019 Gathering of Nations annual pow wow that will take place on April 25, 26 and 27, 2019 caught my attention.

I just checked their website and it looks like an interesting and fun event to attend. I've always enjoyed seeing other cultures (such as the Japanese oshogatsu) by attending cultural events.

According to their website:

In the past 36 years the Gathering of Nations has grown from an early, simple dream to one of the world’s most recognized annual festivals. 

From the beginning the concept has always been to produce an event where Native people can come together each year to celebrate and share culture, and a place where singers and dancers can feel confident that competition is fair to all.:

• Thee Gathering of Nations has had the opportunity to blossom into the most enjoyable, cultural, and entertaining Native festival in North America.  

• Open with the Gathering of Nations song for grand entry, the powwow program also includes the crowning of Miss Indian World. Its pageantry, along with its cultural beauty, exemplifies the pride and dignity of the culture and traditions of Native women across the United States and Canada.  

• Only at the Gathering of Nations will you partake in the isles of shopping throughout the Indian Trader’s Market, enjoying the best of native foods, Horse & Rider Parade, music on Powwow Alley’s Stage 49 featuring the Best in Native American Music Performances and Entertainment!

To read more, go here.