GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL
Gathering of Nations, Ltd. is a New Mexico-based nonprofit founded in 1983 that organized North America's largest annual powwow, integrating the Miss Indian World pageant, Indian Traders Market, Stage 49 performances, and Horse & Rider Parade for Indigenous communities across North America. Both the powwow and pageant are concluding in 2025-2026 after over four decades of operation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersAlbuquerque, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL does
Gathering of Nations, Ltd. is a New Mexico-based nonprofit organization that has operated the Gathering of Nations Powwow since 1983, billed as North America's largest powwow and one of the largest Indigenous cultural convenings in the world. The organization's portfolio centers on a two-day annual event held at Expo NM State Fairgrounds (Tingley Coliseum) in Albuquerque, integrating multiple sub-programs: the Miss Indian World cultural pageant for young Native American women (1984-2025), the Indian Traders Market with 300+ vendor booths, Stage 49 live music performances, and the Horse & Rider Parade. Supporting revenue and engagement channels include a Zia Event Tees e-commerce merchandise store, an iHeart Radio station streaming Stage 49 content globally, a music label (Gathering of Nations Records) distributed through HearNow, and standard social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest. The organization is small, with 1-10 staff members, and is founder-led by Dr. Lita Mathews, who has Picuris Pueblo roots.
The business model is event-driven and diversified across four streams: transaction fees from event admission tickets, vendor booth fees from the Indian Traders Market, merchandise sales via the online store, and music royalties/licensing through the record label. The GTM motion concentrates on annual event-based demand generation, with participation drawn from Indigenous communities across North America, Alaska, Canada, South America, and Puerto Rico. Marketing spans organic social, email newsletters via Constant Contact, press relations (including Travel & Leisure 2026 recognition), and broadcast partnerships. The organization's core technology is a standard event management and cultural programming platform with no proprietary AI, software products, or APIs.
Both the powwow and Miss Indian World pageant are entering terminal phases: the pageant concluded in 2025 and the powwow will conclude in April 2026 after 43 years, marketed as 'The Final Dance.' Organizers have declined to transfer the Gathering of Nations trademark to successor groups, and no successor entity, endowment, or continuation vehicle has been disclosed. The organization has also faced public criticism over high booth fees and rising ticket prices.
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL
- Legal name
- Gathering of Nations, Ltd.
- Website
- https://gatheringofnations.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Gathering of Nations, Ltd. is a New Mexico-based nonprofit founded in 1983 that organized North America's largest annual powwow, integrating the Miss Indian World pageant, Indian Traders Market, Stage 49 performances, and Horse & Rider Parade for Indigenous communities across North America. Both the powwow and pageant are concluding in 2025-2026 after over four decades of operation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indigenous Cultural Events / Powwow Organization
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations (BPAGAHAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Indigenous & Community Cultural Institutions (THAJADAK), General & Multi-Industry Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAA), Cultural & Heritage Entertainment Booking (Traditional/Folk Acts) (HSACAHAG)
Keywords
Where GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Albuquerque
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Event Tickets and Admission: Revenue generated from ticket sales to the annual Gathering of Nations Powwow event, which is held at Expo NM State Fairgrounds. The event spans two days with multiple entry times.
- Vendor Booth Fees: The Indian Traders Market features over 300 vendor booths selling Native American Indigenous arts, crafts, jewelry, and food. Vendors pay booth fees to participate.
- Merchandise Sales: Online merchandise store (ziaeventtees.com) selling official Gathering of Nations branded merchandise including clothing and memorabilia.
- Gathering of Nations Records: Music label releasing recordings of Indigenous artists. The CD 'Woyawaste Wi' Iyohlate' featuring Julius Not Afraid and others was released through HearNow.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Event admission tickets (pricing not publicly listed) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gathering of Nations, Ltd. is a nonprofit organization that produces the annual Gathering of Nations Powwow at Expo NM State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque, integrating traditional dance and drum competitions, the Miss Indian World cultural pageant, a 300+ booth Indian Traders Market for Native American artists and crafters, the Stage 49 Indigenous music venue, and the Horse & Rider Parade. The organization also operates the Gathering of Nations Radio stream on iHeart Radio and the Gathering of Nations Records music label, all in service of celebrating and preserving Indigenous North American culture.
Product overview
Gathering of Nations is a nonprofit cultural organization operating a portfolio of events and programs centered around Indigenous North American culture. The core offering is the annual Gathering of Nations Powwow (North America's largest powwow), which served as the umbrella event integrating multiple products including the Miss Indian World pageant, Indian Traders Market vendor marketplace, Stage 49 music venue, and Horse & Rider Parade. Supporting products include the iHeart Radio station and Gathering of Nations Records label. The organization operated for 43 years, concluding with a final event in April 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Gathering of Nations Powwow North America's largest powwow and one of the world's largest Indigenous cultural gatherings, held annually at Expo NM State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque, featuring traditional singing, dancing competitions across multiple categories (Northern, Southern, Golden Age, Teen, Jr., Tiny Tots), and cultural celebrations. The event concluded in April 2026 after 43 years of operation.
- Miss Indian World Pageant A prestigious cultural pageant for young Native American women (ages 18-25) who compete in public speaking, traditional talent, interview, essay, and dance to serve as cultural ambassadors. The pageant shaped titleholders who advocated for causes including language revitalization, mental health, and domestic violence prevention, and operated for over 42 years before concluding in 2025.
- Indian Traders Market A marketplace featuring over 300 vendor booths offering hand-crafted items made by Native American Indigenous artists and crafters, including fine art, handmade clothing, quilts, beadwork, and sterling silver jewelry. Vendors come from tribes across North America and pay booth fees to participate.
- Stage 49 A performance space at the Gathering of Nations Powwow celebrating Indigenous performing arts, featuring both rising and renowned talent across genres including Rock, Blues, Reggae, Hip Hop, Country, Jam Bands, and Dance. The stage also features Native American music and mainstream bands, with content broadcast on the GON iHeart Radio Station.
- Horse & Rider Parade A parade celebrating the deep cultural connection between Native American tribes and the horse, featuring riders in traditional regalia representing their tribes. The event includes a Best in Show competition and honors the Horse Nation with explanations of regalia and cultural significance.
- Gathering of Nations Radio A radio station broadcast via iHeart Radio featuring Indigenous music and content related to the Gathering of Nations Powwow and Native American culture, streaming Stage 49 music and Indigenous performances to a global audience.
- Gathering of Nations Records A record label releasing music featuring Indigenous artists and distributed through HearNow. Notable release includes "Woyawaste Wi' Iyohlate" in Lakota language featuring Julius Not Afraid, Mateja Sitting Crow, Gerry Runnels Not Afraid, and special guest Oteil Burbridge on bass and bass banjo.
Companies that use GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- iHeartRadiocoreLive radio broadcasting partner for Gathering of Nations Radio station, streaming Stage 49 music and Indigenous performances to global audience through iHeart platform.
- Expo NM (New Mexico State Fairgrounds)coreVenue host for annual Gathering of Nations Powwow at Tingley Coliseum. Charges separate parking fees. Gate 8 entrance for general traffic, Gate 1 for oversized vehicles.
- HearNowminorMusic distribution partner for Gathering of Nations Records releases, including the 'Woyawaste Wi' Iyohlate' album featuring Indigenous artists.
- Official GON PhotographersminorContracted photographers including Will Huston and LeAndra Madalena who document annual events. All photos belong to Gathering of Nations, Ltd. and photographers.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights2 records
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL social profiles
Digital presenceGATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL
What does GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL do?
Gathering of Nations, Ltd. is a nonprofit organization that produces the annual Gathering of Nations Powwow at Expo NM State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque, integrating traditional dance and drum competitions, the Miss Indian World cultural pageant, a 300+ booth Indian Traders Market for Native American artists and crafters, the Stage 49 Indigenous music venue, and the Horse & Rider Parade. The organization also operates the Gathering of Nations Radio stream on iHeart Radio and the Gathering of Nations Records music label, all in service of celebrating and preserving Indigenous North American culture.
Is GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL a public or private company?
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL founded?
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL was founded in 1983. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL based?
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL is headquartered in Albuquerque, United States, in the North America region.
How does GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Event Tickets and Admission is the primary driver. The others are vendor Booth Fees, merchandise Sales and gathering of Nations Records.
Does GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL have an API?
No public API is recorded for GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL.
What industry is GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL in?
GATHERING NATIONS INTERNATIONAL's product category is Indigenous Cultural Events / Powwow Organization. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAI, Indigenous, Ethnic & Folk Arts/Heritage Organizations, with a secondary code of THAJADAK, Indigenous & Community Cultural Institutions. Its NAICS code is 561920 and its SIC code is 8600.