The 43rd GATHERING OF NATIONS poww-wow will end in 2026. The announcement was a surprise to fans who had attended the "Gathering" for 42 years. Has it been that long? Yes, according to Native (Indigenous) customers who travel to Albuquerque every year. They come from as far as Canada and Europe.
The "Gathering" was once the largest Pow-wow in North America. It has been usurped by the big Indian Casinos that give away huge money prizes. Pow-wows are big business and it looks like the "Gathering" cannot keep up. It has been said that this pow-wow is "commercialized." That's how it always was and will be until it ends in 2026.
The "Gathering" is an economic boom for the city of Albuquerque bringing in nearly $30 million each year. The cost of putting on "The Gathering" is $150,000. The total cash prizes in all of the contests is $200,000. Several Indian Casino pow-wows are larger with $250,000 in prizes.
The cost just keeps rising for the "Gathering." Back in 1995. A single ticket to enter the pow-wow was only $10 dollars. Now, it has risen to $25 bucks. Part of it is inflation, but the organization has been criticized for hiking prices overall year after year.
In 2016 - The University of New Mexico announced they will no longer host the "Gathering." The reason was the clean-up costs. The pow-wow was held inside "The Pit" (UNM) for decades. It was moved to a smaller venue at "The Tingley" coliseum inside the New Mexico Fairgrounds.
It is the end of an era for one of the largest Pow-wows in North America.... None too soon because the city of Albuquerque is trying to sell the "block" where the NM state fair resides. It isn't bringing in enough money where condominiums might.
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