"American Indian culture is alive and well and on colorful display at powwows across the country. Paul Gowder, creator of powwows.com, which showcases these social and spiritual events, shares some favorites with Gary McKechnie for USA TODAY.

Gathering of Nations, Albuquerque

"This is the powwow," says Gowder of the April 28-30 event at the University of New Mexico basketball arena. Representatives in full regalia from up to 500 tribes participate in the Grand Entry, a procession of dancing and drumming. Multiple stages feature dance competitions and performances by American Indian musicians. It's also the venue for the Miss Indian World pageant. gatheringofnations.com

Morongo Thunder and Lightning Pow Wow, Cabazon, Calif.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians' powwow (Sept. 23-25) is staged next to the tribe's 27-story casino near Palm Springs, Calif. Unique to the Morongo and other southern California tribes is "bird dancing," a long-form dance popular with energetic young tribal members, who start and stop on the seemingly random beat. "It's really pretty wild," Gowder says. www.morongo.com"

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10 great places to be wowed by American Indian culture (USA Today 4/18)