Warm Springs woman vies for ‘Miss Indian World’
Warm Springs resident Norene Sampson will compete for the title of the 2013 Miss Indian World as part of the 30th Annual Gathering of Nations, the most prominent Native American powwow in the world, held in Albuquerque, N.M. between April 25 and April 27.
As part of the Gathering of Nations powwow, the Miss Indian World pageant is a competition of Native American women representing their different tribes and traditions.
This year, 16 women will be competing for the yearlong title as a Cultural Goodwill Ambassador for all Native and Indigenous people.
Norene will compete in the areas of cultural tribal knowledge, dancing ability, public speaking and personality assessment.
The 2013 Miss Indian World will travel to many Native and Indigenous communities throughout the world on behalf of the Gathering of Nations.
The Miss Indian World Pageant begins with the talent presentations on Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (at Isleta Pueblo) and continues through the weekend at the Gathering of Nations Powwow, taking place at The University of New Mexico’s University Arena (known as “The Pit”) in Albuquerque, N.M. The 2013 Miss Indian World will be crowned on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the powwow.
This year’s Miss Indian World Pageant will be hosted by Lisa Meeches, executive producer of Eagle Vision Inc. and Meeches Video Productions from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and Jason Whitehouse, a performer from the Native American Dance Theatre in Madison Heights, Michigan.
This year’s event will also feature a special performance by a Chicago-based acoustic and soul band, “The Luna Blues Machine.” There will also be an opening performance by Kahawi Dance Theatre out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Tickets for the Miss Indian World Pageant on Thursday, April 25 are $14 and will be available at the box office/door the night of the event. Tickets to the Gathering of Nations powwow cost $17 per day, or $34 for a two-day pass and can be purchased at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gatheringofnations.com/history/powwow_2013/13_EventTickets.
