A mother holds her observing daughter as they dance the evening Grand Entry with hundreds of other participants.

The Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, perhaps the premiere intertribal assembly for North American Indians, reconvened this weekend here in Albuquerque, and for me it was a first time to attend this event.

I basically entered Tingley Coliseum and made like a paparazzi, hovering near the main floor (like Tim P. would do) and spent several hours photographing several evening events, including a Grand Entry dance and the crowning of Miss Indian World 2022.

In it all, I found I really could just get lost taking in the beautiful regalia donned by the men and women from each tribe. Each year, members of nearly 700 tribes in the United States and Canada come to Albuquerque to participate in competitions, singings, sacred dances, and community building.

A few words from outgoing Miss Indian World Cheyenne Kippenberger.

Miss Indian World 2022, Tashina Red Hawk, a Sicangu Lakota from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, leads the coronation procession around the stage floor at Tingley.

I just enjoyed taking in what I saw.