The Last Dance: Gathering of Nations bows out
- by Brian Eckberg
Two-Spirit Columnist
All Nations Two-Spirit Society
After 43 years, the annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in Albuquerque, NM, is no more. The owners of the operating company have decided to discontinue North America’s biggest pow wow.
Since 2018, the Southwest Two-Spirit Society has hosted a weekend of events, welcoming IndigiQueer people from all over the continent. This year’s last hurrah was April 23-25. Describing a celebration instead of showing it simply could not do it justice. So you’ll find some of those moments here.
Alma Rosa Silva-Bañuelos and Trudie Jackson lead the Southwest Two-Spirit Society. I serve on the planning committee with them. The weekend of events always begins with the Water Ceremony. On April 23, we gathered at Tingley Beach on the Rio Grande River, along with water we collected from our homes. We prayed for guidance and celebrated the life-giving essential, keeping us mindful of our spiritual connection to the earth. Then, all of our Two-Spirit relatives poured their water into the river and sent prayers downstream. It’s a powerful ceremony, as we return the waters to journey home, back to San Francisco, Philadelphia, Winnipeg, Tulsa, etc.
On April 24, we gathered at Expo New Mexico, the home of the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, for the Grand Entry ceremony, where all pow wow dancers enter into the arena and greet everyone. On April 25, we hosted our annual banquet and awards ceremony to honor Two-Spirit elders and leaders from across Turtle Island (North America).
For so many of us, this is a family reunion. We are a chosen family of gay, lesbian, trans and other queer identities. And as Two-Spirit people, we celebrate our ancient traditional role of peacemakers and healers.
Before the banquet, former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland met with our Two-Spirit leaders to discuss how she can help the community. Haaland is currently running for office and, if elected, will become the first Indigenous woman to serve as governor in US history. At the banquet and awards, Two-Spirit leaders were honored, such as the Montana Two-Spirit Society and Two-Spirit healer Sharon Day.
Even with the Gathering of Nations coming to an end, the Southwest Two-Spirit Society intends to keep our annual gathering alive. Whenever Two-Spirit people gather, it’s strong medicine!
Thanks for reading & Wado! (Photos provided).
The Gayly online. 5/25/26 @ 12:27 p.m. CST.