On April 25, 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) unveiled its latest Forever stamp series, Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture, in a dedication ceremony in conjunction with the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Gathering of Nations provided the perfect backdrop to honor a cultural tradition that continues to unite and uplift Indigenous communities across the United States, as it is the largest Powwow in North America.
The newly introduced Forever stamps, now available nationwide, celebrate the energy, regalia, and artistry of powwows. The stamps were designed by Cochiti Pueblo artist Mateo Romero, and feature original oil-over-photograph paintings of dancers in their full regalia. The artistry truly captures powerful motion and rich color.
Each stamp proudly depicts a specific dance, reflecting both diversity and tradition: the Women's Traditional Dance, Crow Hop Dance, Men's Hoop Dance, and the Women's Fancy Shawl Dance. Romero, who is known for blending photography with expressive brushwork, photographed dancers in action to transform images into these unique painted portraits. His work brings reverence and movement to the stamps, while honoring the dancers' individual stories and the collective spirit of Native resilience.
In a recent press release from the USPS, the stamps were described as “a tribute to the beauty, strength, and enduring nature of Native American traditions.” The United States Postal Service has a long history of issuing stamps that celebrate the rich contributions of Indigenous peoples. However, this series is one of the few focusing solely on the powwow, an event that remains central to Native identity, pride, and cultural preservation.
During the dedication ceremony at the Gathering of Nations, USPS representatives joined tribal leaders, dancers, and the artist Mateo Romero for the unveiling, marking the official release of the stamps into circulation. Once in use, this series of stamps will provide a visual celebration of Native life to travel the globe via letters and packages. “Having our culture represented on something as everyday as a stamp is powerful,” said Mateo Romero during the unveiling. “It’s a small but meaningful way to acknowledge our place in this country’s story.”
The stamps are Forever stamps, so they will always hold the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate, regardless of future postal rate increases and are available for purchase online at the USPS Postal Store, and at local Post Offices.
This release is about more than stamps, it’s about visibility of Native culture as an integral piece of American life and not merely a relic of the past. More importantly, it’s validation of identity and a celebration of continuity for Native families and communities. The Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture stamp series is an opportunity to share Native joy, art, and tradition with the world, one envelope at a time.
