Small Paper, Big Meaning: The beauty, craft, and future of postage stamps
Filming at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque during the historic 2025 event honoring Indigenous culture and U.S. Postal Service stamps.
Three indigenous tribal members await their entrance for the Gathering of Nations Grand Entry - a parade of dancers representing over 500 Indigenous, Native American and Canadian First Nation tribes.
Filming at the Gathering of Nations — Albuquerque, NM (April 2025)
In April 2025, our crew had the incredible opportunity to film at one of the most spectacular cultural gatherings in North America — the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This annual event brings together Indigenous peoples from across the continent in a powerful and joyous celebration of tradition, artistry, community, and resilience.
A Cultural Celebration Captured on Stamps
One of the most exciting cultural milestones to emerge from the 2025 Gathering of Nations was the unveiling of a new U.S. Postal Service forever stamp series titled Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture.
On April 25, 2025, the Postal Service dedicated this stamp series during a ceremony at the Gathering of Nations — marking the first-day-of-issue for the stamps in Albuquerque. The issue was timed to honor powwow traditions showcased at the event and celebrate Indigenous dance, music, and regalia for a broad audience.
Designed by Cochiti Pueblo artist Mateo Romero, the stamps feature vibrant paintings of dancers performing traditional powwow dances — including Crow Hop, Women’s Traditional, Women’s Fancy Shawl, and Men’s Hoop — bringing the energy and cultural significance of these gatherings to life in a medium that travels across the country and around the world.
This stamp series not only commemorates powwows as a living cultural legacy but also reflects the broader recognition and respect for Native American heritage in contemporary American visual culture.