Latest news with #ExpoNewMexico
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Furs & Flowers adoption event held at Expo New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque residents had an opportunity to find their new furry best friend at Saturday's free Furs and Flowers adoption event. Eight shelters, 30 pet-friendly vendors, and even a bird rescue all took part in the adoption extravaganza inside Expo New Mexico. Japanese Garden at ABQ BioPark Botantic Garden closed through Tuesday The organizers of the event, Mutt Made Miracles, said they hope today helps animals and humans get linked up. 'We want to get as many dogs adopted as we can, we've been working; we're working on six adoptions today, and we've been, we're about 30 minutes into our event,' said Tito Montes, President of Mutt Made Miracles. The next two big events to put on your calendar are August's Bark to School fundraiser and a Halloween spook-tacular. For more information, click this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New Mexico man convicted of raping woman in 2014 in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico man is now convicted of raping a woman more than 10 years ago. The Bernalillo County District Attorney said that on May 6, 2014, Omar Navarro-Flores abducted a woman from a bus stop on Central Ave. and threw her in his car. NM man facing drug, murder charges after extradition The DA said he threatened that she would never see her children again unless she performed sexual acts. Flores then dropped her off at the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds, where security called police. Detectives said the victim wrote the license plate number on her wrist and gave that information to police. Days later, DNA linked Flores to this crime. Eleven years later, a jury convicted him of false imprisonment and criminal sexual contact. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gathering of Nations 2025 Day 2
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – This year's Gathering of Nations is on its second day Saturday, with tribes from all across the state coming together to celebrate their cultures. One of Saturday's highlights was the horse and rider regalia parade. Q&A released on potential changes coming to New Mexico State Fairgrounds 'Throughout Indian Country, they tell us that our horse is part of us, it's part of our history. It became so much a part of us that we adopt them as our brothers, as our sisters. There are many stories that go along with this. We're deeply involved with the spirit of this horse. They tell us that a horse will lead us to something good. Whether it's food or a good place to camp, or something worthy, so we trust in our brother horse,' a speaker at the event said. The gathering started Friday morning at Expo New Mexico and is closing Saturday at midnight with the conclusion of the year's final performance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'You just feel it': Gathering of Nations, the largest powwow in North America, hits its stride in Duke City
ALBUQUERQUE — The heat and rhythmic intensity of the collection of dancers spinning, stopping, flinging legs had Liam Beebe of Washington sweating in his orange regalia as he walked from the powwow floor, the drum still pounding a war beat in his ears. A member of the Blood Tribe, also known as Kainai Nation, the 16-year-old practices ahead of the Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque each year, studying the songs and refining his moves. "It's a war dance — I like that it's fast," Beebe said. "It gets my adrenaline going." Touted as the largest powwow in North America, Gathering of Nations has been underway since Thursday but ramped up Friday as thousands flooded into Expo New Mexico, the state fairgrounds in Albuquerque, for a weekend of festivities, including parades, music and dance performances and the Miss Indian World Contest. Noon marked the Grand Entry, the first real act Friday, when Indigenous dancers from around the U.S., wearing regalia displaying their tribal ties and cultural backgrounds, entered the high-profile powwow, moving to the dance floor with flourish as the arena of spectators roared and cameras flashed. A series of dance competitions followed. Inside the arena before the entry, dancers were preparing bustles and other attire ahead of the dancing scheduled Friday afternoon and evening — some with a long history of attending the powwow that first began about 40 years ago. Today's Gathering of Nations looks a little different than those early years, which started with the first 'unofficial' event at the University of New Mexico in 1983. Attendees now come from not just North America but around the world. Seated in the dimly lit arena at Expo New Mexico, Sage Fast Dog's hands worked over a bustle crafted with intricate black-blue beadwork and topped with golden eagle feathers. He tightened the garment to ensure his son would not have to fear it slipping off amid the dance. "The feathers that we wear come from a bird that is sacred to us," said Fast Dog, a member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe in South Dakota. "We teach our kids that so they don't disrespect these feathers. It's one of the reasons we are able to carry them in the United States — because it is a part of our ceremonies." Indigenous Americans who attend the gathering say they come for the unity, pride and sense of community that characterizes the powwow. The seizure of Native land by the U.S. government and forced migration resulted in intertribal exchange, and powwows became more popular in the 20th century as a means of Native expression and celebration. "We all come together," said Malcolm Duncan, who is Navajo and lives in Shiprock. "It's amazing to see how we are all connected, even though we are thousands of miles away." More moves, more footwork Some of the best Indigenous dancers in the U.S. and Canada showcase their footwork during the Gathering of Nations, ensuring competition is always high. Rod Begay, of Yakama Nation in Washington, has been judging powwows since the 1980s and said this is a big stage. "Maybe a dancer has more moves, more spins, more footwork. Those are the things you pay attention to," said Begay, ahead of judging a teen girl's fancy dance. Duncan began dancing when he was 5 or 6 and feels the preservation of traditions and culture is paramount, especially as he watches his own children dancing. He wore white warpaint on his face from nose down across about half his face Friday; six black lines painted to represent the six mountains that are sacred to the Navajo. "One thing I was always taught was, 'You are your grandfather's prayer,' " Duncan said. "Now I understand it because I know my grandfather prayed for me to keep the tradition going. I see it now when I see my kids dancing." The term 'powwow' derives from Pau Wau, meaning 'medicine man' in Narrtick, a language spoken by the Algonquian peoples in Massachusetts, according to the Smithsonian. On display Friday were the differing beats of the drum competitions, dozens of dancing categories, the roving performers of traditional dances. Tiffani Warner, of Winnebago Tribe in Nebraska, does the Ho-Chunk Applique dance for those who cannot move themselves, as it is known as a healing dance. Jangling the bones and shells hung around her neck, Warner moved to the beat of the drum with her feet together, illustrating the style. "It's scary times, you know," Warner said. "You've just got to help everybody, be kind." 'Just a good feeling' Positioned in a circle pounding a large drum covered in a steer hide and singing loudly, chanting, members of a group known as Sharpshooter were among the drum groups that took turns providing constant music for the powwow in the arena. "We're from Turtle Island," said one of the members of the group using handmade sticks. Turtle Island is used by some Indigenous Americans to refer to North America. "We're from all over," added another. Jeremy "Worm" Dearly of Phoenix writes songs for the group and serves as its lead singer, stretching his voice in Lakota and Ojibwe. He penned a song Sharpshooter performed early in the powwow that he based on a dream — in his dream, his father was singing him the lyrics of the song. "All the people help one another. You only have one life to live," Dearly said. "That's what that song means." A number of drum and singing groups kept the powwow going, each unique in their approach and with their own style. The Mountain Kree drum group plays powwows all summer and travels around, said Garrison Deschamps, noting the group of 10 is made up of members of a family from Alberta, Canada. Some powwows allow for larger groups, but the Gathering of Nations caps it at 10, he said. "We travel throughout Canada, the United States," Deschamps said. "It's just a good feeling you get sitting around a drum with your brothers and enjoying visiting with everybody else that you don't get to see for a long time. That's what makes it meaningful to us." "Each and every drum has their own camaraderie. They pick up their own singers whenever they can. There's lots of singers everywhere that want to sing with whoever," he added, as a drum group with more of a southern style began to play nearby. Duncan said the powwow music, the hypnotic drumbeats, gives him a feeling unlike anything in American popular music. "You just feel it," Duncan said. "It's different from when I listen to rap, metal, country. When you hear this, you feel it." Change over time Shirtless with a vest plate complete with a badger skull, rabbit fur and a tobacco bag, Billie Broken Trail made the journey from St. Petersburg, Fla., but opted to travel by air this year instead of driving. "First time on the plane coming this way," said Broken Trail, of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. "I didn't like it. I can drive; 26 hours don't bother me compared to being up in that plane for four hours." Donning a small circular mirror as part of his headdress with feathers, Boye Ladd, 77, had bells and other shiny objects as a part of his regalia that made a jangling noise as he walked. "Things like mirrors, bells, things that are shiny and sharp, are ways to repel negativeness, bad spirits and everything," Ladd said. "If somebody shoots medicine at you, voodoo or whatever you want to call it, it bounces back." Ladd said he's seen powwows change a bit over the years. "It evolved I guess to what you see today with competition and everything," Ladd added. "I've seen back when there was no competition back in the early '50s. It's pro and con, depends on how you look at it. Integrity, spirit, honor, respect — the positive. The other side is money, materialism, and that takes away from the spirit."
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Q&A released on potential changes coming to New Mexico State Fairgrounds
Video: Coverage of the fair in 2024. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — Bernalillo County released an update on the future of New Mexico's state fair Tuesday morning. The new details come after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham spoke in late 2024 about potentially moving the state fair, and upgrading the fairgrounds. Take a look at the questions and answers provided by Bernalillo County below: The county says this is the State of New Mexico's decision. Full Response: 'It is state-owned land and ultimately the State of New Mexico's decision. The state's General Services Department released a $500,000 request for proposal (RFP) on March 6 for professional consultants to propose a master plan that will form the baseline for determining the area's future, including the location of the fair and any new improvements to the site. The state's General Services Division will select the consultant that will form the master plan.' The state says, 'there is substantial potential to increase the usage of the State Fairgrounds on a year-round basis.' Full Response: 'State Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), whose district includes the State Fairgrounds, also has advocated significant revitalization of the area to include 'a mixed-use, mixed-income, walkable, green space-filled neighborhood.' She sponsored Senate Bill 481, which passed both the state House and Senate during the just-ended legislative session and is awaiting the governor's signature. If signed into law, it will create a State Fairgrounds District and form a mechanism to finance redevelopment in the area, based on the findings in the master planning process.' This bill, sponsored by state Sen. Mimi Stewart, forms the 'State Fair District.' Full Response: 'This district would encompass the existing fairgrounds and any contiguous land acquired subsequently, aiming to revitalize the area through economic development initiatives. The bill includes provisions for a property tax levy and authorizes the issuance of up to $500 million in bonds to finance infrastructure projects within the district. SB 481 names the district board members as the following seven elected officials or their designees: the governor; the state senator, state representative, county commissioner and city councilor from the area; the mayor and a representative community member selected by the governor. This board will appropriate funding for the district.' The Expo site is in Bernalillo County, as opposed to Albuquerque. Full Response: While the land is owned by the state, the Expo New Mexico site is technically not in the City of Albuquerque but in the unincorporated area of Bernalillo County. For any private development on the land, developers could seek permitting either through the city or the county. Request-for-proposal submissions are due April 18. Full Response: 'They will be reviewed and scored by a committee selected by the state's General Services Department. The contract is scheduled to be awarded by May 9, per the state website.' Bernalillo County is not aware of a specified location at this time. Full Response: 'The state approved the governor's capital outlay request for funding in House Bill 450 in the amount of $14 million for 'EXPO NM Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvements and site acquisition.' Bernalillo County, however, is not aware of a named location or vision for the future of the annual State Fair.' It would allow some tax revenue to stay in the district for developing infrastructure. Full Response: 'The district would allow for certain tax revenue (state GRT, gaming revenue, and property tax) from the defined 'district' – in this case, the area of the current fairgrounds – to stay in the district to finance its infrastructure development – such as for roads, water/sewer and community facilities. The district would need the approval of the state Board of Finance, New Mexico Finance Authority and the state Legislature to issue bonds, which then could expedite development. District funds would be controlled by a specially created body of elected officials or their designees.' Those chances will be announced once a master-plan developer is chosen. Full Response: 'Further opportunities will be scheduled after a master-plan developer is selected and can field questions in the setting of a public meeting. The potential contractors have been encouraged to consider data-driven economic analysis and community engagement in forming the master plan.' A finalized plan is expected to be available by early 2026. Full Response: 'Upon selection of a developer for the master plan in May, public engagement, including in-person public meetings, will follow through the summer. A draft of the master plan is expected by fall, and a finalized plan should be available no later than early 2026. A budget and construction timeline then would be determined by the District Board.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
