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

[Homalosa]

I was happy to see Tawny Hale take 1st in women's fancy..she's a very nice girl and dances her own style..I always thought she was one of those "underrated dancers"..that was cool for her I bet!..
Oh and my best cuzzin Summer Bummers got 1st in Women's tradish..that was cool..Our grandmother is very old and she came to watch all of us dance and she said she was very proud....so just seeing the pride on my Cugoo's face was PRICELESS!!
AND Congrats to all the winners..and good dancing to everyone else!
Oh and good singin..I sat on the other end of the arena so I didn't see the drama >>WHEWW!!! Happy I did..LOL ..
OH yeah the STOMP dance was COOL!

Ditto! Good to see some local Cali names! Big up to Tawny and Oscar.
But dang, they had a stomp this year?? Man, hate that I missed that. I had a good excuse though, was out getting me a new job!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

[kiiyaaniiasdzaa]

controversy

Wow that is crazy. I also though the 2 day pass running out that friday before grand entry was crazy. There were maybe 3 people infornt of me during registration when they announce that the 2 day passes were out and everyone would have to pay $24.00 and there were no in and out privelages. Everyone was so upset and a few hours later they got some dancers the wrist bands. It was very upsetting to alot of people and they all wanted to speak w/ derrick matthews. I of course did not get the 2 day pass and was stuck in the powwow. The wait time out side was also very long, some people waited 5-6 hours. Alot of people left though because the price increase.

[xTekno]

Wow that is crazy. I also though the 2 day pass running out that friday before grand entry was crazy. There were maybe 3 people infornt of me during registration when they announce that the 2 day passes were out and everyone would have to pay $24.00 and there were no in and out privelages. Everyone was so upset and a few hours later they got some dancers the wrist bands. It was very upsetting to alot of people and they all wanted to speak w/ derrick matthews. I of course did not get the 2 day pass and was stuck in the powwow. The wait time out side was also very long, some people waited 5-6 hours. Alot of people left though because the price increase.

This only goes to show that the bigger your event is, the bigger problems you will have. At some point, the bubble will burst.

[chazziff]

WHY do they keep it at the pit?!? the pow wow has GROWN out of that particular building like a decade ago..i'm sure there are bigger buildings in albz. bigger building means more people INSIDE doesn't it?!? dang $24 bucks to WATCH pow wow - now thats outta hand. how many baseball/hockey teams/powwows have moved into larger stadiums/buildings and have been better for it? another $0.02 being thrown in here

[Dazzle_me_now]

It was unfair. I was sitting right behind the drum and heard what was going on. I also talked to the young drummer. He was thrown out of the pow wow because he was recording another drum. Their lead singer did his best to get him back into the arena but they wouldn't let him back in. I say it was unfair because alot of people were recording and when security asked them to leave they ignored the security. Then security let them stay there. Later someone apologized for how the singer was treated.

Yeah I saw lots of ppl recording too... many were standing up and holding recorders from their seats! LOL

[Dazzle_me_now]

just to let everyone know.. he was okay.. he got back into the pit and all was good..at least he has a story to tell when he gets back home.. lmao

Is that the guy you were sneaking back in? LOL jk

[Dazzle_me_now]

Wow that is crazy. I also though the 2 day pass running out that friday before grand entry was crazy. There were maybe 3 people infornt of me during registration when they announce that the 2 day passes were out and everyone would have to pay $24.00 and there were no in and out privelages. Everyone was so upset and a few hours later they got some dancers the wrist bands. It was very upsetting to alot of people and they all wanted to speak w/ derrick matthews. I of course did not get the 2 day pass and was stuck in the powwow. The wait time out side was also very long, some people waited 5-6 hours. Alot of people left though because the price increase.

As I went over to the Pit on Thursday morning to pick up my passes from the will call line, and then to register my son.... I noticed a LOOOOONG line of ppl waiting to buy entrance passes. Later as we finished up in the registration line...I saw a couple of people come into the registation line... buy some 2 day passes...then they walked out! They werent singers or dancers. I think they need different color passes... because they actually took passes designated for dancers and singers.

[kiyaanii mom]

This is insane!

Many years ago, I witnessed a situation on the floor which really made me not to go back again. There was a singer in a wheelchair which the floor security made a big stink about. Ultimately, they made this poor man get out of his wheelchair, have him sit in a regular chair as all the other singers, and fold up/put away his wheelchair.

WHAT! That is messed up! Why would they do that? I felt sorry for the Golden Agers trying to get up the stairs. You know they have an elevator somewhere in that building. They should let the elders use it!

[kiyaanii mom]

Wow that is crazy. I also though the 2 day pass running out that friday before grand entry was crazy. There were maybe 3 people infornt of me during registration when they announce that the 2 day passes were out and everyone would have to pay $24.00 and there were no in and out privelages. Everyone was so upset and a few hours later they got some dancers the wrist bands. It was very upsetting to alot of people and they all wanted to speak w/ derrick matthews. I of course did not get the 2 day pass and was stuck in the powwow. The wait time out side was also very long, some people waited 5-6 hours. Alot of people left though because the price increase.

This is what happen to us. My husband got there before us on Friday and tried to get passes. But when they went to buy the 2 day passes they were sold out. It worked out OK cuz he was tired from playing Golf all day. So we just went Saturday. The kids were glad to get to swim. LOL

[BurBz]

Yeah I saw lots of ppl recording too... many were standing up and holding recorders from their seats! LOL

LMAO!! sounds like me!! i had to record for the guys and i sat there at my seat holding up the recorders!! i'm just glad i didn't have to go alllllllll the way across the floor to the drum to get the recorders! LMFaO!...all freakin shy! LMAO!

[**jdazmum**]

This was my second trip to the Gathering of Nations. I tell you that I was impressed with the quality of singing and dancing there. I usually don't have the time to go to any powwows as much as I would like to. But this was great. I stayed for both days. I tell you I am very tired. Anyway, that was unfortunate he got kicked out. Didn't this same security person do something to someone else last year as well? I feel as if I remember him doing something. Also food prices!!! oh my god!!! It was a good thing I found a Furrs and a Panchos.

THere were two security guys there who were mad-dogging everyone walking down to the the arena. I sat all the way at the bottom. I don't know, some of the recorders go over the limit. I mean if they tell you to back off, geez back off! Then we wouldn't have the controversy. I think they should move Gathering to a larger arena, dancers were leaving because there wasn't enough room.

During Saturday's grand entry, they were telling everyone to move as far back from the floor as possible. When they announced the winner for Miss GON, a fan ran down to take a picture of her at the bottom step and the security told her to back off!! I know they are doing their job as instructed, but kicking out people is wrong. Jay Begay made that loud and clear!

[Dazzle_me_now]

LMAO!! sounds like me!! i had to record for the guys and i sat there at my seat holding up the recorders!! i'm just glad i didn't have to go alllllllll the way across the floor to the drum to get the recorders! LMFaO!...all freakin shy! LMAO!

LOL!!! i know the sound quality must've came out good huh? It was so loud in the Pit.... i gave up trying to answer my phone! *L* I once screamed to my mom.. "I cant hear you, so dont talk! I'll call you later when I get outside!"

[Dazzle_me_now]

During Saturday's grand entry, they were telling everyone to move as far back from the floor as possible. When they announced the winner for Miss GON, a fan ran down to take a picture of her at the bottom step and the security told her to back off!! I know they are doing their job as instructed, but kicking out people is wrong. Jay Begay made that loud and clear!

I saw when her family ran downstairs to take pics of her...and they made them get back too.... i didnt think that was fair. Later they announced that miss indian world's family needed to wait at the ramp and join her.

[**jdazmum**]

Dancers being disrespectful.

I sat way down near the arena and watched some teen jingle dancers make fools of themselves. The flag song was being sung and they were laughing loud and taking pictures of themselves and twirling around. I thought that was very disrespectful. They continued on during the prayers and was glad to see them leave. I think parents need to talk to your kids about being quiet and pay attention especially during honor songs, flag songs and prayers. I'm not mentioning any names, I thought that was something to point out.

If you are dying for attention, just don't do that in front of me next time, I'll be glad to tell you to shut it! I have no problem, as a veteran to tell you that.

[AEn8ive_kita]

WHY do they keep it at the pit?!? the pow wow has GROWN out of that particular building like a decade ago..i'm sure there are bigger buildings in albz. bigger building means more people INSIDE doesn't it?!? dang $24 bucks to WATCH pow wow - now thats outta hand. how many baseball/hockey teams/powwows have moved into larger stadiums/buildings and have been better for it? another $0.02 being thrown in here

The reason why they keep it at the Pit is because Albuquerque doesn't have a bigger place to have a powwow that huge... the Pit is the only place.