The Last Dance
By Tori McConnell
One of Indian Country’s largest yet most controversial events, the Gathering of Nations (GON) Powwow happening at the end of this week, has announced 2026 as their final convening. They’ve named it, “The Last Dance”, a title that reflects on some 40-odd years of memorable moments including massive grand entries, titillating contests, performances by Indigenous artists, tens of thousands of items sold by Indigenous vendors, regal horse parades, and even marriage proposals. And, of course, the pageant which culminates in the naming of the next Miss Indian World who will carry the title for the upcoming year. But something about 2026 is a little different. With it being the “Last Dance”, GON is also putting an end to the Miss Indian World (MIW) pageant. That means after decades of tradition, there will be no more new Miss Indian Worlds.
As one of the most recent former Miss Indian Worlds, it was almost spooky how close the cutoff was to my own title year. I was crowned in 2023, the second MIW to come from a California Tribe, simultaneously the first enrolled Yurok Tribal citizen to win the title. Like any major life milestone, it feels like it was both yesterday and a lifetime ago. Being an alumni of the Miss Indian World program I was looking forward to seeing how new contestants and winners would shape the program into the future. After three years, I never imagined that there would only be two more groups of contestants and winners.
In conversations with current Miss Indian World Dania Wawahsuck (Prairie Band Potawotami and Pyramid Lake Paiute) I asked about her feelings around being the last Miss Indian World. “Last” has kind of an ominous tone to it, but with GON being advertised as the “Last Dance,” I supposed there was no other way to put it. “… I am truly honored to serve as the last MIW and to have had the opportunity to travel to different communities. I also want to thank each and every previous MIW for paving the way. I wouldn’t be where I am without them,” she said after reflecting on how the feeling of being the “Last MIW” hasn’t fully set in yet. Dania was the first Potawotami woman to compete for the title in 2023 and later to win the title in 2025. Thinking of the representation she has been able to provide for her people, Dania noted that she is really looking forward to her Appliqué Scrub Special at GON this year. “This special means so much to me because it shines a light on all Anishinaabe people and I hope I have made my people proud.” And through her travels this year, that she has. In regards to GON and the Miss Indian World Pageant ending, Dania hopes that the youth will keep working towards positive things. “…Though it may be somber, continue looking forward to the future. There is so much opportunity out there just waiting for you. I definitely believe there will be other things in store for all of our young royalty, both boys and girls. They’re all doing such amazing things already.” Truly, kind and wise words from our reigning Miss Indian World.
The Powwow hasn’t been without its controversies, though. Founder and owner Derek Mathews received a cacophony of criticism after the 2024 Gathering where he concluded the powwow with a personal statement addressing rumors and complaints that had been circling about GON’s organizational, cultural, and financial status. Many community members across the US and Canada voiced their disappointment about Mathews closing the powwow on a negative note, referencing disrespect towards elders, dancers, and drums. Others reiterated historical grievances about Mathews maintaining the director position as a non-Native for so many years, as well as complaints about the powwow being the only powwow known to charge admission for attendees and dancers. Boycotts against GON continued to increase and last year the turnout felt much lower from an attendee perspective.
One of the members of the MIW sisterhood, serving as Miss Indian World 1997-98, Shayai Lucero (Acoma/Laguna Pueblo) took to social media to share her feelings about GON hosting a “retiring” ceremony this year for the MIW crown and sash. She pointed out that there was an open invitation for the ceremony which GON advertised, but that it was “… a bit difficult to read because our Sisterhood has not been personally invited to be part of the ‘retiring ceremony.’ Sure the graphic states there is an ‘invitation’ to everyone… but we are not just everyone. Each of us carried that crown and sash to our communities. MIW has been blessed, participated in ceremony, been cared for, been protected, and been welcome all around the world.” She was sad but not surprised, though, as she stated, “With the ‘Last Dance’ just a couple of months away, the MIW Sisterhood has been asking if there is anything planned for us. So far – nothing. No reunion. Not even a free ticket. No acknowledgment. But we all sort of expect it because many of us have been neglected through the years.”
As a former Miss Indian World myself, in my writing I must attest to both the praises and the grievances brought forth by other Miss Indian Worlds. I had a unique experience, as most MIW’s feel about their years. Although carrying the title had its unique challenges, the positive influence on myself and my community was worth far more than any challenge or obstacle and I am profoundly appreciative of every connection that was made through this amazing, privileged opportunity. Because of that powerful fact, it is sad to see the Miss Indian World title go. But that emotion begs me to ponder: is it the title, the crown, and the sash that bring the magic and the joy to our people? Or is it the countless women who have directly and indirectly poured into this title through their hard work, their diplomacy, their responsibility, their respect, their gratitude, their families, their ancestry, their talents, and their cultures? At the end of the day, “Miss Indian World” is just a title that we use to describe the legacy of Indigenous women’s leadership, the deeper thread that connects all of us as Indigenous women and Indigenous people as a whole. None of us would be here today as Indigenous peoples if it were not for our mothers, grandmas, aunties, and all the women that brought us to survive, taught us how to love, and taught us how to thrive. Even when that title goes away, if we remember and uplift the beauty of Indigenous womanhood, that thread will remain. In fact, it might even grow stronger than before.
What do you think about the MIW title being put to rest and Gathering of Nations coming to an end? Do you think a particular event will eventually replace GON? Do you think someone should restart a pageant for California Indians? How do you think this monumental moment will change the future of powwows and pageants throughout Indian Country, if at all?
