5978-81c – 2025 First-Class Forever Stamp – Imperforate Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture

US #5978-81c
2025 Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture
Imperforate

• Honors Native American culture and heritage
• Features original paintings by Native American artist

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Value:  73¢, First Class mail rate, Forever
First Day of Issue:  April 25, 2025
First Day City:  Albuquerque, New Mexico
Quantity Issued:  18,000,000 (Includes die-cut AND imperforate stamps.  The exact quantity of imperforate stamps is unknown, but it is only a tiny fraction of the total print quantity, making the imperforates much scarcer than traditional die-cut stamps.)
Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method:  Offset, Flexographic
Format:  Panes of 20 stamps

Why the stamp was issued:  This set of four stamps was issued to honor the gatherings of Native Americans known as Powwows.

About the stamp design: The images on the Powwow stamps are from original paintings by Cochiti Pueblo artist Mateo Romero.  He took photographs of dancers during the performance of traditional dances, then painted over the photos to create his abstract paintings.  The colors and shapes of the background accent the dancers’ movements and highlight the traditional dress of each dancer.
Four designs feature the following dances: Women’s Traditional Dance, Crow Hop Dance, Men’s Hoop Dance, and Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance

First Day City:  The First Day of Issue ceremony took place at the annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the largest powwow with over 100,000 people attending

History the stamp represents:  The rhythm echoes across the arena, calling dancers to the floor.  Their regalia gleams – beaded yokes, flowing fringe, feathered bustles – each piece carrying stories of tradition, family, and resilience.  The powwow is more than a celebration, it is a living expression of Native identity, a powerful link between past and present.
Powwows have been held for generations, bringing together tribes from across North America.  Once outlawed under US government policies that sought to suppress Indigenous culture, these gatherings endured, evolving into vibrant expressions of survival and pride.  Today, powwows remain central to native communities, uniting people in dance, song, and ceremony. 
This set honors four distinct powwow styles.  The Crow Hop is rooted in the traditions of the Crow people.  The Women’s Traditional Dance embodies strength and grace.  The Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance, often called the “butterfly dance,” symbolizes renewal.  Last, the Men’s Hoop Dance is a breathtaking display of agility and storytelling that reflects the cycles of life. 
With each beat of the drum and every step in the arena, powwow dancers keep their traditions alive, ensuring that the spirit of their ancestors will never fade.  These stamps celebrate the Native American culture and its unbreakable connection to the past.

Scarce Modern Imperforates
In 2012, modern imperforate stamps were one of the hottest stories around.  The US Postal Service released some issues as press sheets.  The sheets with die cut perforations were issued in limited quantities. 
To the surprise of many collectors, officials then issued a small number of press sheets without perforations.  The uncut sheets were only available in Kansas City, Missouri, and most sold out immediately.  In an instant, the imperforate stamp sheets became modern rarities.  For example, only 75,000 Baseball All-Star se-tenant sheets were issued compared to 118,000 Bugs Bunny sheets with the 10th stamp imperforate.
In a controversial move, the editors of Scott Catalogue announced they would not list or give numbers to these stamps because they did not fit Scott guidelines.  This decision was strongly debated since the imperforate stamps are valid for postage.  They eventually decided to give the stamps minor numbers.
Because they are issued in such limited quantities, these scarce modern imperforates can be difficult to find.  Luckily Mystic purchases a small number of each imperforate stamp issued so you can add these modern rarities to your collection.  Be one of the lucky few – order today.