| 700 tribes to powwow in Albuquerque 04/08/2001 Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.– Nearly 3,000 Indian artists, dancers and singers from the United States and Canada will converge on Albuquerque this month to celebrate the culture and history of the continent's oldest inhabitants.
The Gathering of Nations is expected to attract more than 100,000 people at the 18th annual powwow April 26-28. More than 700 tribes from across North America will be represented, said Derek Mathews, the event's organizer.
The powwow will be at the University of New Mexico Arena. Doors will open at 10 a.m.
"It's an experience for everyone," Mr. Mathews said last week. "Everyone is invited."
Two marquee events will be the Miss Indian World pageant and the Indian Traders Market, which will feature more than 500 vendors. The schedule also includes tribal dances, colorful art exhibits and concerts.
Mr. Mathews said a Grammy awarded this year to the Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow album in the Native American album category has heightened interest in the event.
An e-mail circulating last week had said the event was canceled, but it turned out to be a prank.
The powwow should bring more than $20 million to the local economy, Mr. Mathews said. The Indian market alone is expected to generate $2 million, he said.
"The tribes benefit because a large part of our visitors travel by vehicle, and they stop at the pueblos and a number of different reservations along the way," he said. "The casinos' volume increases. The effect is far-ranging."
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