Controversy At GON???!!!???

[Two-cents1]

BTW, I FINALLY got my home computer fixed so that I can get on this website and post....that's why I've been away so long.lol.

I truly enjoy the competition at GON no matter how it turns out for me. It's a tough contest, which is why I like to go and dance. I just couldn't see some of the winners compared to some that got shut out.

[quicksilverwade]

I have never seen so many top place winners who had mostly cloth outfits. The only beadwork some of the men's winners had was a beaded headband. I'm too old school I guess and I believe firmly that at this level of competition, a fully beaded (or fully sequined if you must be lightweight as possible) outfit is a must. I would never score anyone with cloth as a major portion of their outfit (men or women) higher than a dancer with a complete outfit. If you're a great dancer, that's part of it but not all of it at this high level of comp.

The dancers who place consistently have all paid their dues. they got their outfits complete and where they want them (colors, coordinated pieces, something that suits them and stands out according to their dance style), which has cost thousands of hours and thousands of dollars. They've traveled and gone to powwows for years not placing, or placing low, and worked their way up. They've stayed in shape and stay current on dance styles and trends. They keep in time to the drum and dance appropriately to the different songs they are given. If they do this consistently, then why is it wrong to award them a place if they've clearly earned it and keep earning it? Why is it "fair" to award someone that doesn't have a complete outfit, and takes the shortcuts of "flash and glitter" instead of truly dancing?

That was my pet peeve 10 years ago and it still is. Maybe they should start a cloth appliqued category for both men & women at 50% of the regular prize money for those who don't have the time for fully beaded regalia. Maybe then this will encourage the cloth appliqued dancers to switch to a fully beaded regalia.

[ABENEWA KWE]

How bout making it 3 dayz,didn't have tyme to really snag,day one suppose to be checking em out,2nd day is suppose to sizing em up and 3rd day iz making tha move,lol theres my 1 cent,yeah security waz really on a professional level,they keep us safe,and as far as grass dance speacil,I thought it was fair.I enjoy dancing among tha best thuur,pce

[billyjoejimbob]

so were the security guys from the "outside"? Were they school security? Were they NDN or NON?

Ya gotta love security. Security and rent-a-cops. Give someone a jacket with security on it and a wakie talkie and they turn into a gestapo.

I was just thinking. The guy who runs it, Matthews, is he a teacher at UNM,? He runs the powwow and is also an MC? Does he get paid? Its a non profit organization, but they seem to be profitting alot. Do they get audited?

QUICKSILVER - take a chill pill. All over now. If it was me and the guy whipped out the knife I would have let him cut off the armband but would have jerked my arm so he cut me. THEN I would sue. A little blood is all it takes. Why does a security guard need a big knife? Was it concealed? The cops didnt do anything about that? Shoot, sue them too. The guard came after you with a knife in front of cops.

[Paul G]

so were the security guys from the "outside"? Were they school security? Were they NDN or NON?

Ya gotta love security. Security and rent-a-cops. Give someone a jacket with security on it and a wakie talkie and they turn into a gestapo.

I was just thinking. The guy who runs it, Matthews, is he a teacher at UNM,? He runs the powwow and is also an MC? Does he get paid? Its a non profit organization, but they seem to be profitting alot. Do they get audited?

QUICKSILVER - take a chill pill. All over now. If it was me and the guy whipped out the knife I would have let him cut off the armband but would have jerked my arm so he cut me. THEN I would sue. A little blood is all it takes. Why does a security guard need a big knife? Was it concealed? The cops didnt do anything about that? Shoot, sue them too. The guard came after you with a knife in front of cops.

It's a non profit organization and like all non profits, you can look up thier finaincial info on the net!

[billyjoejimbob]

No Kidding? Where can you find this info?

[Tigerlily]

GON can't win for losing......its either "same winners every year" or if not the same winners the "judges didnt know what they doing."

I just looked at the list and it looks like same good dancers won so why the posts complaining about the judges? I see one unfamiliar name in Men's catagories and I am guessing thats what is upsetting to some- that a "stranger" penetrated the winning circle.

I agree that GON shoud be three days. It is too hard to visit with everyone in 2 days when half the time u dont even know they are there until Saturday night Grand Entry! Also- with the level of dancers that come out- it seems fair to have more rounds of comp.

[Paul G]

No Kidding? Where can you find this info?

http://www.guidestar.org/

[quicksilverwade]

Here are the basic figures. I wonder how their expenses could be so high? It must be their salaries.

Revenue: $642,535

Expenses: $622,041

Assets: $52,496

Liabilities: $0

[frybread allstar]

Gon

Well according to their 990 form...

Their expenses are:

Derek Matthews, President makes $22,000 a year.... Melonie and Lita are labeled as VP but dont have a salary...

Over $146,000 are for payments for their tax year...

They donated $11,000 for charity...

$72,000 for travel?

$98,000 for expenese related to participants...

Nearly $8,000 for telephone(s)....

$117,000 for occupancy (Rent from UNM)

Over $161,000 in promotions and advertising...

$16,000 for consultants...



Now lets see their income revenues...
$465,000 for admission fees alone!
$60,000 for booths!
$44,000 from the internet site alone!
$88,000 from contributions!
$32,000 from Miss Indian World Contest...

In four years.. 99-04, they made 1.6 million in revenues alone!

Whew... A lot of money...

Frybread Allstar

[BurBz]

they shoulda had sam walton to represent walmart and not that other guy or is he dead???

[50cal]

they shoulda had sam walton to represent walmart and not that other guy or is he dead???

I tell ya, when I heard that a dude from wal-mart was there I thought jdazmum was going to go crazy!!! LOL!!! Jk.........I actually took pictures and everything ........jk!!!


all dedicated to wal-mart.....LMAO!!!

[kiyaanii mom]

they shoulda had sam walton to represent walmart and not that other guy or is he dead???

Sam Walton is dead! But his business thrives.

[injunboy]

damm thats some cash for you.! wheres the album and video sales at?

[wicked_j9]

Must Be A Red Laker....Aye

I just recieved this from the Event Staff at G.O.N. and I think what he wrote is uncalled for. Especially about "singers/dancers are not above everyone when it comes to participating in powwows." but here is what I recieved from them. See what you think about it:

Name: Event Staff
Email: [email protected]
HomePage: http://
Where are
you from: Albuquerque
Comments: Get your fact straight. The Eyabay singer was completely out of line as he disrespected elders, children, drums, and you with his behavior. A singer from your drum was also repeatedly warned for his childish behavior as well and I did speak to a rep from your drum about him too. Singers/dancers are not above anyone when it comes to participating in pow-wows. Trust me in working the Gathering for a number of years I've seen way better drums than yours. You have potential but it needs to be cleaned up. It's a right that comes from being earned. By you bad mouthing the very people who took care of you shows the amount of respect you were brought up in. No one said you can't record anything "from your seats". Following drums and getting in the way of elders and stepping on children and be disrespectful about it is where you have the problem. In any event I do wish you luck and know that in Indian Country it's always good to wish nothing but good things towards one another.

I feel that things should've been handled a different way and dancers/ singers are why people go to powwows across the states. Not once did I see elders, children or drum groups being disrespected by anyone other than the Event Staff.

I'm Kidding. I know who that guy was...I'm also A Red Lake too....I KNOW how how THEM RED LAKERS are....haha