by Karina Guzzi
Daily Lobo
Andre Picard has been attending the Gathering of Nations powwow since 1996. This year he came with nine of his family members, including 15-month-old William.
"We came down in two cars," he said.
As dancers from all over the United States and Canada filled the court during the Grand Entry, one proudly held up the red eagle staff.
"It represents all our tribes and nations," said Picard, who belongs to the Nez Perce tribe from Idaho. "Red is a powerful color for many tribes."
The Gathering of Nations is an annual event featuring a powwow, a Miss Indian World pageant and a trader's market. Thousands of people attended this year's gathering.
Picard said some people make a living competing in powwows, but his family participates for fun. He said a lot of politics are involved when it comes to choosing the winner for the dance competitions.
"Sometimes they'll win because everybody knows him or because he's a nice guy," Picard said. "That lady is dancing really well. She has nice clothes, but this one has a bigger name, so the judges will pick her."
The outfits were colorful and covered in beads, pelts and feathers. Picard said simple outfits cost about $200, but more elaborate ones can cost thousands of dollars.
Jason Stacona, who belongs to the Warm Springs tribe in Oregon, once made an outfit he sold for $3,000.
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"I made one for this lady," Stacona said. "Her husband paid me $500 a month."
"Chilliwack" Zack Cailing, who belongs to the Yakana and Squamish tribes in Canada, said his bright orange, beaded outfit is priceless because it is a labor of love.
"When I told my mom I wanted to get a vest done, she started taking my measurements," Cailing said.
Picard said the designs today are not specific like they were in the past.
"It used to be that each family would have a design, but today everybody wears everything," Picard said.
The event did not follow the schedule closely, as competitions were delayed and switched around.
"A long time ago we didn't have watches," Picard said. "They say it's Indian time."
Cassie Thomas, a member of the Seneca Tribe in New York, was crowned 2005-2006 Miss Indian World on Saturday.
The winner was chosen based on a public speaking competition, a traditional talent competition, a personal interview and dancing.
At the Kiva Auditorium on Thursday, pageant contestants presented beadwork, performed dances, played lacrosse and demonstrated how to make acorn soup. One contestant milked a goat on stage.
Azella Humetewa, an organizer for the event, said tickets for Miss Indian World were sold out. She said the pageant was important to show that traditions are being kept alive.
One stereotype of American Indians is that they don't press traditional values on their children, Humetewa said.
"But these women are proof that these traditions are being taught," she said.
Humetewa said there is no competition among the girls.
"It is a sisterhood," she said. "That is why we don't have a swimsuit competition, because we believe that beauty comes from inside."
Humetewa said the event began 22 years ago as a get-together.
"It started really small, and it has grown tremendously," she said.
