November 9, 2006

“Gathering of Nations Awards New Scholarship”

Jennifer Young Bear is the first recipient of the “Dr. Lita Mathews - Graduate Scholarship”. The Scholarship is provided by funding from the Gathering of Nations Foundation. It was Derek Mathews AND OTHERS who recommended the establishment of this scholarship. It was Dr. Lita’s desire to assist Native women to achieve graduate degrees at the University of New Mexico. She received both her Masters and Phd. degrees at UNM. Dr. Lita is a founding a member of Gathering of Nations and champion Traditional Buckskin Dancer.

Requirements for receiving the scholarship are as follows: Native American woman, over 25 years of age, entering graduate studies at the University of new Mexico, and a champion powwow dancer. The scholarship covers four - five semesters of tuition and housing. The scholarship award is valued at twenty-five thousand dollars and may be awarded every two years.

Jennifer Young Bear is a 30 year old, champion Jingle Dress Dancer, from New Town, North Dakota. She is of the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes. Jennifer received her Bachelor of arts degree (Native American Studies Major) from The University of Oklahoma in 2005. Her Graduate studies will begin in January 2007, at Univ. Of New Mexico.

Funding to the scholarship foundation is generated from the admission cost to the Gathering of Nations Powwow. The Next Gathering of Nations Powwow is scheduled for April 26 - 28, 2007 in Albuquerque, at the University of New Mexico. For more info or to make a contribution to the scholarship foundation, visit the official “GON” web site: www.gatheringofnations.com

The Gathering of Nations encourages everyone to contribute and make donations to the Scholarship fund. Call the University of New Mexico scholarship Office (505) 277-5325 or visit the official web site of the Gathering of Nations www.gatheringofnations.com. The Next Gathering of Nations powwow is April 26-28, 2007, in Albuquerque New Mexico in the “PIT”.

NORTH AMERICA’S BIGGEST POWWOW!