Miss Indian World is a Canadian

Guide Page 3

On April 27, the new Miss Indian World for 2002/2003 was chosen out of 24 contestants at the Gathering of Nations powwow in Albuquerque, N.M.

Twenty-one-year-old Tia Smith of the Cayuga Wolf Clan from Six Nations, Ont. won the coveted title. The runner-up is also originally from Ontario, Kinwa Bluesky.

The former Miss Indian World for 2001/2002 was Ke Aloha Alo of mixed ancestry from the Apache, Hawaiian and Samoan Nations.

"I have big shoes to fill," said Smith. "From what I hear, she was a great Miss Indian World."

Smith had a lot of support from her family and community who had come to attend the contest. Smith said, "My goals are to represent people, my community and all Native peoples in general. I want to thank my people back in Six Nations for all your support and I can't wait to get back home."

It was Smith's first year attending the Gathering of Nations powwow.

"It's awesome. There are so many people, everyone is so nice, there's so much positive energy here."

The powwow was held at The Pit, an "underground" arena at the University of New Mexico that seats 18,000. Gathering of Nations was a sold-out event. During the powwow, the emcee announced there were still 7,000 people outside without tickets.

Free Spirit, who is a bald eagle, sat perched on a man's arm and led the Grand Entry. Dancers streamed onto the floor from the four cardinal directions, eventually filling the entire floor space with feathers and dancers and jingle bells and the sound of drumming and singing. There were three to four thousand dancers at the powwow.

Robert Tree Cody played the Indian flute and Primo and Mike, who won at the American Music Awards, entertained.

The Indian Trader's Market was held on the edges of the Pit, outside in Powwow Alley and under a huge bigtop tent. Traditional foods such as fried bread, Indian tacos, corn, popcorn and barbequed turkey legs were in abundance. Thousands of Indian trade goods, arts and crafts were available and ranged in price and quality. Next year's Gathering of Nations will be held April 24 to 26. Tickets can be purchased in advance be calling (505) 836-2810 or online at www.gatheringofnations.com.