The Postal Service dedicated its Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture stamps at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, NM, on April 25.
“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 Monteith, the Postal Service’s chief customer and marketing officer.
“We hope they inspire a deeper appreciation of Native American culture and influence for all who see them,” he said.
The four stamps feature paintings of dancers in traditional regalia at powwows, where Indigenous people gather to celebrate.
Monteith was joined by Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS who designed the stamps, and Mateo Romero, a Southern Keres Cochiti Pueblo tribal member who created the images used on the stamps.
“It’s a huge honor to be able to show the face of powwow culture to the world and take an art form like painting, with such historic ideas embedded in it, and transform it into a stamp,” Romero said.
Additional participants at the ceremony were Royale Dá, master of ceremonies and a KOAT-TV news anchor; the Native American Women Warriors honor guard; and Kansas Begaye, a Native American recording artist.
The stamps are available in panes of 20 at Post Offices and on usps.com.
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