Native American tribes regularly celebrate their heritage with gatherings for traditional music, dancing, storytelling and exhibits of their artistic crafts. Check for this year’s schedules and other current information. For example:

Gathering of Nations, Albuquerque NM: University of New Mexico Arena, Avenida Cesar Chavez Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM, gatheringofnations.com/powwow. Producers claim it's the largest in North America. Colorful exhibits and activities make for great photo and video memories.

Included are contests for best costumes, dances, original music and crowning of Miss Indian World. Offered are many varieties of freshly-prepared Native American foods, jewelry, clothing and other products. Dance for Mother Earth, Ann Arbor MI: University of Michigan and Saline School, Ann Arbor MI, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This back-to Native American traditional pow wow features dancers, musicians, singers, artists, and crafts demonstrations by representatives from tribes throughout North America.

The program features a variety of authentic Native American performers from Michigan and other areas. They dress in traditional colorful tribal clothing and compete for awards in various music- and dance-related categories.

Vendors offer both contemporary and traditional foods. Visitors are invited to join in on group dances and singing. They may also volunteer to participate in discussions involving current social, economic and political issues among today’s Native American communities.

Standing Bear Pow Wow, Ponca City OK, Standing Bear Park and Museum, http://www.standingbearpark.com.

The annual pow wow is presented by members of the six north-central tribes of what was formerly the Oklahoma Territory. They are the Kaw, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca and Tonkawa.  

Events include various dance exhibitions, visitor participation and competitions for contestants of all ages. The concluding highlight of the pow wow is crowning of the Standing Bear Princess.

Throughout the event, crafts, clothing and food vendors offer authentic Native American services and products. Free samples are offered of tribal foods, such as corn soup, cider, roasted corn on the cob and fry bread.  

Strong Sun Pow Wow, Clemmons NC, Tanglewood Park, Old 158 South, Clemmons, NC, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Presented by the Nuluti Equani Ehi Tribe (Near River Dwellers), the event also includes other Native American tribes from across the South. They share cultural traditions, teachings and promote understanding of America’s original inhabitants.

Visitors are welcome to join the circles of dancing, drumming and chanting Native Americans. Tribal members say it can be a very spiritual and calming experience. The roots and traditions of many of the local tribes are from the Cherokee Nation that has lived in the area for more than 400 years.

Pow Wow and Indian Market, Colorado State University Moby Arena, Fort Collins CO, sponsored by NCIPA, Northern Colorado Intertribal Pow-Wow Association, www.fortnet.org/PowWow/NCIPA_powwow

Tribes represented include Crow, Apsaalooke, Lakota, Arapaho and Kiowa. Featured are music and colorful dance demonstrations and contests in various categories, including families, men, women and children. Vendors located throughout the arena offer Native American foods, art, jewelry and clothing.