HOUSE MEMORIAL 47

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Antonio Maestas and Georgene Louis

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE GATHERING OF NATIONS LIMITED AND THE SIGNIFICANCE IN PROMOTING INTERTRIBAL SHARING OF NATIVE CULTURES OF ALL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND TRIBES IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

 

     WHEREAS, the gathering of nations limited, a nonprofit organization, was established in New Mexico in 1983 to engage in, carry on and promote Native American educational, religious and cultural activities and other programs in the state; and

     WHEREAS, the goal of the gathering of nations limited is to provide honorariums and limited scholarships to be used for Native American people on a nondiscriminatory basis; and

     WHEREAS, the gathering of nations limited specifically endeavors to promote intertribal sharing of native cultures of all indigenous people and tribes of the United States, Canada and the western hemisphere through native singing, dancing and all other aspects of culture and religion; and

     WHEREAS, the gathering of nations limited has established a cultural pageant for young Native American women and, each year, a young Native American woman is crowned as miss Indian world; and

     WHEREAS, miss Indian world serves as an outreach ambassador of native culture, as she represents Native American women while bridging cultural gaps and bringing understanding of Indian people and traditions to the world at large; and

     WHEREAS, the gathering of nations limited is dedicated to the promotion of native people performing, expressing and practicing contemporary music, literature, the spoken word and performance by providing contemporary performance spaces at the gathering of nations pow wow; and

     WHEREAS, the annual gathering of nations pow wow is the primary annual effort of the gathering of nations limited, as this event attracts the largest number of native people for competitive and social song and dance in North America, which benefits not only the Native American people, but also serves as educational enrichment for all people of all races and religions; and

     WHEREAS, the gathering of nations limited annually delivers a significant economic impact and financial benefit to New Mexico of more than twenty-four million dollars ($24,000,000), with an additional economic impact to Native American communities in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the state legislature commends the efforts and goals of the gathering of nations limited and the gathering of nations pow wow for continuing to provide this major cultural and social event, as well as being one of the greatest and most colorful spectator attractions in New Mexico, the United States and the world; and

     WHEREAS, the state legislature is dedicated to the support and continued growth and development of this wonderful and legendary event known as the gathering of nations pow wow; and

     WHEREAS, the next gathering of nations pow wow will be held April 24 and 25, 2020, on the pow wow grounds at expo New Mexico in Albuquerque;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the cultural significance of the gathering of nations limited be acknowledged and honored; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature encourage all residents and visitors in New Mexico to attend the miss Indian world cultural pageant on April 23, 2020 in the Kiva auditorium at the Albuquerque convention center and the gathering of nations pow wow on April 24 and 25, 2020 on the pow wow grounds at expo New Mexico in Albuquerque; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that residents and businesses of Albuquerque be encouraged to support and attend all events associated with the gathering of nations limited; and 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the Albuquerque office of the gathering of nations limited, the governor, the secretary of cultural affairs, the secretary of tourism and the secretary of economic development.

- 4 -