ACOMA PUEBLO - It was not the Gathering of Nations' world famous powwow, but it was a gathering, and several nations were represented.

Native youth from the Upper Sioux Dakota Community of Granite Falls, Minn., the Yavapai Indian Prescott tribe of Prescott, Ariz., and the Seminole Tribe of Fla., joined together in a cultural exchange at different sites around the state, including a day at Acoma Pueblo. Also joining the exchange at various stops will be adults from the Americans for Indian Opportunity and Advancement for Maori Opportunity/New Zealand.

Robert Cloud North Sr. (Winnebago/Ojibway) said he is familiar with the West, but this is the first trip on the interstate for him and his family. "We were just in awe of the experience [of being at Old Acoma] and of being welcomed with such open hearts, and I can tell it really touched my kids," said Cloud North.

Cloud North said he believes many Native American tribes have lost that sense of community, of opening their lives and homes to other native peoples. He said it takes an experience like this for some native kids to understand and appreciate the life that they have on their reservations back home.

Cloud North said his wife is from the Seminole tribe and she speaks fluent Mikasuki, a Seminole dialect, while their children do not. "I understand it and speak it, but we can't force them to learn the language; they have to come to it on their own when it becomes relevant in their lives," said Cloud North.

Cloud North said his children have heard so many positive messages from tribal elders and tribal leaders and that this experience also had a positive message for them.

He said meeting with different tribes is part of being a Native American. "In the ancestry of the Seminole people, they traveled all over this nation and they should consider themselves home wherever they may be," Cloud North said.

Michael Jock, 15, an Acoma/Mohawk, said he thinks it is great learning from other tribal youths about their culture. "Now that I am getting older, I have to get out and meet other people. I figured why not go out and meet my other relatives and go out and learn about what they do, how they talk," he said.

Jock said the week's activities have been fun, but tiring. "It has been great meeting with all these different people," he said. He added there have been a couple of friends he has met and he hopes to continue with the friendships long after returning home. Jock said the week has been busy, but he cannot get too caught up in the excitement because he has joined the staff of the Acoma Boys & Girls Club and must take care of the younger participants.

The Acoma Boys & Girls club hosted the youths at a barbecue and comedy show at the Sky City Casino powwow grounds Wednesday night. Headlining the event was the comedy duo James and Ernie.

After the barbecue, the groups all packed into vans and prepared to head to Jemez Pueblo for a meeting with the Jemez Pueblo youth program. More events are planned for the youths at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe and at Taos Pueblo.

By Will Kie