ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Postal Service has made a significant cultural statement by dedicating its “Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture” stamps during a vibrant ceremony at the Gathering of Nations, the largest powwow in the country, which attracts over 100,000 attendees each year.
“The Postal Service takes great pride in our stamps and the unique opportunity they offer to tell the story of America. That’s why we’re thrilled to be a part of this celebration of Native American music, dance, and culture,” said Steven W. Monteith, the organization’s chief customer and marketing officer and executive vice president. “We hope they inspire a deeper appreciation of Native American culture and influence all who see them.”
The ceremony featured notable participants, including Royale Dá, master of ceremonies and KOAT-TV news anchor; the Native American Women Warriors Honor Guard; Kansas Begaye, a Native American recording artist; and Antonio Alcalá, a USPS art director and the stamp designer.
The excitement surrounding the stamp release is palpable, with news being shared on social media using the hashtag #PowwowsStamps.
Background
The U.S. Postal Service aims to tell the stories of all Americans through its stamps, and honoring the living culture and heritage of Indigenous people is a vital part of that mission. The new “Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture” stamps pay tribute to these vibrant gatherings, which are a unique contribution to American culture.
Powwows are festive occasions where Indigenous people celebrate their identities through dance, prayer, music, and art. These gatherings also serve as a social hub, allowing participants to enjoy traditional foods and educate younger generations about tribe-specific and pan-Native customs.
Historically, tribal gatherings have been integral to Indigenous culture for centuries. The term “powwow” is believed to have originated in the mid-17th century from the Algonquian linguistic family, used by speakers in the northeastern and midwestern United States and across Canada. The Narragansett, who speak a related dialect, referred to certain community gatherings as “pau wau.”
Stamp Design
The four stamps in a pane of 20 feature original paintings of Native American dancers by Cochiti Pueblo artist Mateo Romero. The artist captured photographs of dancers in their traditional attire and then painted over these images, employing thick, vibrant brushstrokes to create abstract expressionistic representations.
The pane showcases:
- A young Indigenous woman in a teal dress performing the Crow Hop, set against a vivid blue and purple background.
- A Native woman in brown, ecru, and white regalia performing the Women’s Traditional dance, with a striking orange, yellow, and green backdrop.
- A Women’s Fancy Shawl dancer adorned in a fringed cape resembling a bird’s wing, against a turquoise, azure, and gold background.
- A Men’s Hoop dancer poised mid-air, holding multiple hoops, dressed in a decorated blue vest and multicolored breechcloth.
Each stamp features the word “POWWOWS,” the name of the dance depicted, “USA,” and “FOREVER” running vertically down the left side. The header of the stamp pane reads “POWWOWS Celebrating Native American Culture,” with a large powwow drum illustrated on the top right.
These stamps are issued as Forever stamps, meaning they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate.
A video about the stamps will be available on the Postal Service’s Facebook page at facebook.com/USPS and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at x.com/usps.
Postal Products
Customers can purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shoppers can explore the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, first-day-of-issue ceremonies, and stamp-inspired products can be found at StampsForever.com.
Please Note: The United States Postal Service operates as an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing while serving every American community through reliable mail and package delivery. The Postal Service is overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors and is currently implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, aimed at modernizing the postal network and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.
For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow the Postal Service on X, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.
National contact: Albert Ruiz
[email protected]
Local contact: Sherry Patterson
[email protected]
usps.com/news
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SOURCE U.S. Postal Service