USPS Honors Native American Culture with ‘Powwows’ Forever Stamps, Ceremony Set for Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico – The rich tapestry of Native American culture will be commemorated by the United States Postal Service (USPS) with the issuance of new Forever stamps. The collection, titled “Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture,” is set to be unveiled during a special first-day-of-issue ceremony, scheduled to coincide with North America’s largest annual gathering of Indigenous people.

The Postal Service has announced that this significant ceremony will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025, commencing at 1:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). The event will be held at the renowned Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, specifically within Tingley Coliseum / Expo New Mexico, located at 300 San Pedro Drive NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This location is fitting, as the Gathering of Nations annually draws vast numbers of participants and spectators, creating an ideal backdrop for the stamps’ debut.

The ‘Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture’ Stamp Collection

The “Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture” collection features four distinct Forever stamps, each designed to honor the vibrancy and tradition inherent in Native American dance. The stamps showcase original paintings created by the acclaimed Cochiti Pueblo artist, Mateo Romero. Romero’s artwork captures the dynamic energy and cultural significance of four specific traditional Native American dances:

* The Women’s Traditional Dance
* The Crow Hop Dance
* The Men’s Hoop Dance
* The Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance

Each stamp serves as a miniature canvas, reflecting the artistry and spiritual depth embodied in these performances. The stamp designs themselves were art directed by Antonio Alcalá, a seasoned professional known for his work with the USPS.

As Forever stamps, these commemoratives will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate, providing enduring utility for postal customers while serving as cultural artifacts.

Significance of Powwows

Powwows are central to Indigenous life, serving as vital gatherings where Native peoples come together to celebrate their heritage, traditions, and community bonds. These events are multifaceted, incorporating elements of dance, prayer, music, and art. They are not merely performances but profound expressions of identity, history, and spirituality.

The Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in Albuquerque, where the stamp ceremony will occur, stands out as the largest event of its kind in North America. It annually welcomes over 100,000 attendees, including thousands of dancers, singers, and drummers representing hundreds of tribes from across the United States and Canada. Its scale and significance underscore the cultural importance being recognized by the Postal Service.

The First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony

The first-day-of-issue ceremony marks the official release of the stamps to the public. Serving as the dedicating official for this event will be Steve Monteith, who holds the significant roles of the Postal Service’s chief customer and marketing officer and executive vice president. His presence at the Gathering of Nations highlights the USPS’s commitment to commemorating diverse American cultures.

The ceremony offers attendees at the Pow Wow a unique opportunity to be among the first to acquire the new stamps and to participate in a moment of national recognition for Native American cultural contributions.

The issuance of the “Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture” stamps represents a meaningful acknowledgment by the United States Postal Service of the enduring traditions, artistic excellence, and cultural significance of Native American communities. By depicting traditional dances through the artwork of an Indigenous artist and launching the collection at a major cultural event, the USPS aims to share this vibrant heritage with the wider American public, one stamp at a time.