Business | National

Gathering of Nation signs title sponsor deal with cannabis company

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Participants at the 33rd annual Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo from Gathering of Nations Ltd / Facebook

The organizers of the Gathering of Nations powwow signed a five-year sponsorship with a medical marijuana company.

Ultra Health is putting its name on the popular event. Starting in 2017, it will be known as "Ultra Health - Gathering of Nations."

"The Gathering of Nations Powwow is a very spiritual and social celebration," Duke Rodriguez, the CEO and president of the company, said in a press release. "At Ultra Health we believe such components are vital to well-being, and sponsoring the event was an obvious decision in light of the importance Native people have historically put on healing and natural medicine."

Powwow founder Derek Mathews told The Albuquerque Journal that the deal runs in the "six figures." He said it will help organizers as they ease into their new location at the Expo New Mexico for next year's event.

“It’s really great security for the powwow long term,” Mathews told The Albuquerque Journal. “When we renew our contract with the fairgrounds, Ultra Health’s investment increases.”

Ultra Health maintains two medical marijuana dispensaries in Albuquerque, where the powwow has been held for 33 years. Rodriguez has said he wants to work with tribes in New Mexico.

The company has been working with the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe on a medical marijuana production and dispensary project in Nevada.

Get the Story:
Gathering of Nations signs five-year sponsorship deal with cannabis producer (The Albuquerque Journal 7/7)
Medical cannabis provider becomes new Gathering of Nations sponsor (KOAT 7/6)
Regional cannabis producer to sponsor Gathering of Nations (Albuquerque Business First 7/6)
Medical Marijuana Company Lead Sponsor at Gathering of Nations (Indian Country Today 7/6)