 Gathering of Nations |  Gathering of Nations |  Gathering of Nations |
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 Gathering of Nations |  Gathering of Nations |  Gathering of Nations |
 Gathering of Nations |  Gathering of Nations |  Gathering of Nations |
GATHERING OF NATIONS
JOURNEY OVERVIEW - GATHERING OF NATIONS
The Gathering of Nations Trail leads us deep into Native America to appreciate the diverse cultures and landscapes of Southwestern tribal nations, including the Navajo (Dineh), the Pueblo peoples and their ancestors - the Anasazi/Ancient Puebloans.
Experience the transition, yet continuation, of Indian art from ancient petroglyphs to contemporary Native Art Galleries, and become a fleeting part of that circle that is living history as we weave through the awe inspiring beauty of the native nations on this Southwestern odyssey.
Journey Highlights
Gathering of Nations Powwow
Monument Valley
Canyon De Chelly
Zuni Pueblo
Acoma Pueblo
Window Rock, Navajo Nation,
Hubbell Trading Post
On the Gathering of Nations trail you’ll never forget the moment you when you first saw the People dance - or felt the heartbeat of all Indian Nations – the drum . . . you'll never forget attending the biggest Powwow in Indian Country! We spend this day mingling with tribal members of Indian Nations who gather for this celebration from the four directions, marveling at the spectacular color and beauty of the Gathering of Nations Powwow and outstanding 'Indian Market' art fair and exhibit.
At Window Rock, capital of the Navajo Nation, we hear the Dine perspective and worldview in discussion with traditional Dine spokespeople. We discover the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ – Monument Valley - with Navajo guides, and journey through the Canyon de Chelly on foot or jeep. At the Hopi Mesas we walk back in time 1400 years as we witness the Old Ways of Hopitu – still lived by traditional Hopi people.
DAILY OUTLINE
1 – Grand Canyon - A deeply sacred site to several tribes in this southwest region, including the Hopi, Zuni, Hualapai, and Havasupai.
2 – Hopi Mesas - Hopi culture is one of the oldest cultures on this continent and an enduring way of life.
3 – Monument Valley - Travel beyond the John Wayne facade through the sacred red rock desert lands of the Dine (Navajo)
4 – Canyon De Chelly - At Spider Rock (830ft) Spider Woman (Na'ashje'ii Asdzaa) spun her silken web and draped it to the ground.
5 – Hubbell Trading Post - Window Rock at the Navajo Nation.
6 – Zuni Pueblo - the traditional homeland called Halona Idiwan’a, or Middle Place.
7 - Gathering of Nations - experience the color, sounds, energy and love of the largest powwow on the continent.
General Tour Information
Where: New Mexico, Arizona
When: Go in Spring
Tribes: Pueblo, Navajo, Hopi
Flights
In to Flagstaff, AZ and out of Albuquerque, NM (ABQ). Following our published dates, you will be arriving the night previous to the start of the tour, with hotel accommodation INCLUDED in your price. This means you can book flights that suit you because whenever you arrive you will hop on the hotel shuttle from the airport. Same deal when you leave - you can chose your own departure time on the date noted above and will take the hotel shuttle to the airport.
NB. Some hotels will not allow you to book in until 4pm.
Most hotels will ask you to leave your room by 11 am, but may store bags for you if you have a late flight out of town.
Please do NOT book flights until your departure is confirmed.
Activity Level
This trip is generally not a high activity tour, but all participants must be of reasonable fitness and be able to walk uneven
paths and to take short hikes.
What kind of spending money will I need?
Gathering of Nations is situated in a region where Native Art and jewelry is abundant. There will be opportunities to buy direct from artists at just about every stop, making this one of the hardest tours for us to advise you on what you might expect to spend. You will have chance to opt for a jeep ride in the Canyon De Chelly, and another ride into the off-limits area of Monument Valley - about $50-80 depending what you opt for), or you may choose museums and cultural centers (entrance fees usually around $10) over spending more time in Trading Posts. People often ask how much they should assign for food along the way, and a good rought guide is about $10 for breakfast (if needed - we usually use accommodations that include breakfast where possible) $12 for lunch and dinner can be anywhere from $15-30, and is entirely dependeent on your choices.
Packing List
This will be sent to you upon payment of your balance. But thinking ahead, you will not need much 'stuff' to have a great time - we are informal - no dressing for dinner, nowhere 'posh' to go to - jeans, tees, a sweatshirt/sweater and a fleece work great.
Just don't forget your passport, your credit card, sun specs and sunscreen, phone (for the camera!) and charger.
In short, please only bring what you can carry easily yourself. The less luggage we carry, the better we protect the environment and we do not offer porterage.
Ecotravel
Go Native America is deeply conscious of our responsibility toward Mother Earth and wherever possible we keep miles to a minimum, energy savings to the max. But you also have to do your part. Please read our policy on sustainable tourism here.
This also covers our Fair Trade Tribal Tourism mandate.
CAN I EXTEND THIS TOUR?
No, sorry - this tour is already an extensive trip and we cannot add days to the itinerary.
ALSO CONSIDER . . .
Southwestern culture & powwow burst forth every spring in Albuquerque. Now transferred from The Pit to its new outdoor location, the Gathering of Nations is the perfect culmination of a seven day cultural odyssey through the Native Nations of New Mexico. Explore the ancient origins of the Pueblo, Hopi and Navajo cultures, with guides who live traditional lifeways that have been preserved over the millenia.
The Cheyenne, Kiowa, Shoshone, Bannock, Blackfoot, Arapaho, Nez Perce, and the most recent arrivals, the Crow , are among the twenty-seven tribes with cultural ties to Yellowstone that each know a different story. Within these archives from ancestral memory is found a common theme – the sacred nature of the land named for the Yellow Rock Water and the connection to place, an ancient compact between the two-legged and four and the earth that sustains but is, as yet, still unmade.
Traverse prairies to the sacred Black Hills, the barren beauty of Mako Sica, the Badlands and spend time on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, following the culture & history of the Lakota through great leaders such as Sitting Bull, Red Cloud and Crazy Horse.
PLUS Visit the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
Visit the sacred lands of the Lakota Sioux in the crisp, sunny weather of the fall, starting at the Lakota place of genesis – Wind Cave. Visit Pine Ridge and Wounded Knee, Paha Sapa - the sacred Black Hills, Mako Sica – the Badlands, Bear Butte, and Mato Tipila. All are sacred sites of the Oceti Sakowin and your extraordinary week celebrating Native culture culminates at the biggest powwow of the season – Oglala Nation Powwow!
Navajo philosophy is epitomized by the phrase ‘Walk In Beauty’, from the sacred prayer, the Blessing Way. Aspiring to that spirit, we enter deep into the cultures and landscapes of the South-western tribal nations; we meet the Navajo, explore the Pueblo cultures, and the ancient wisdom keepers – the Hopi.
Follow the trails of legendary Apache leaders like Geronimo, whose names and deeds reverberate through the canyons, mountains, and deserts of their homelands. Travel through history on a journey that weaves through traditional Chihuahua Apache heartland of the Dragoon and Chihuahua Mountains learning of the intricacies and diversity within Apache cultures.
