Miss Navajo

Miss Navajo Nation is a pageant that has been held annually on the Navajo Nation, United States, since 1952.

This article is about the pageant. For the 2007 documentary film, see Miss Navajo (film).
See also: List of Miss Navajo titleholders
Former Miss Navajo Crystalyne Curley speaking to a crowd after her coronation in 2012.

The first Miss Navajo was Beulah Melvin Allen, in 1952. She was crowned at the Navajo Nation Fair, the largest fair held on the Navajo Nation, which had been established three years earlier.

Pageant contestants must be unmarried, over 18 years of age, be a high school graduate, and be able to speak the Navajo language.[1] They compete in such activities as answering questions about traditional and modern Navajo customs both in Navajo and English, sheep butchering,[2] and performing a contemporary and Navajo cultural talent.

The current Miss Navajo Nation (2022-2023) is Valentina Clitso.

Film

A documentary film called Miss Navajo, directed by Billy Luther (who is Navajo, Hopi, and Laguna), was filmed in 2005 and 2006, released in 2006, and shown on the Independent Lens documentary series on PBS in 2007. Miss Navajo is a tradition that still continues today. Miss Navajo's duties as a leader are to guide and be a role model of the Navajo Nation.

Mission statement

The mission statement of Miss Navajo Nation is:

"In keeping with Navajo culture and tradition, the role of Miss Navajo Nation is to exemplify the essence and characters of First Woman, White Shell Woman and Changing Woman and to display leadership as the Goodwill Ambassador. Miss Navajo Nation represents womanhood and fulfills the role of 'grandmother, mother, aunt, and sister' to the Navajo people; therefore she can speak as a leader, teacher, counselor, advisor and friend. In March 1999, the Branch Chiefs of the Navajo government agreed that tone of the fundamental principals of the Navajo government should be the preservation of the Navajo culture. It shall be the mission of the Office of Miss Navajo Nation to encourage every Navajo to assist in the preservation of Navajo culture and Miss Navajo Nation will represent the importance of Navajo women with respect and honor."[3]

Miss Navajo Nation Title Holders
Image Name Reign
Jennifer Jackson-Wheeler 1990-1991
Sharon Watson Murray 1991-1992
Tina James-Tafoya 1992-1993
Tara Tsosie 1993-1994
Karen Leuppe 1994-1995
Audra J. Etsitty Platero 1995-1996
Josephine Tracey 1996-1997
Radmilla Cody 1997-1998
Sevaleah Begay-Tsosie 1998-1999
Victoria Yazzie 1999-2000
Karletta Chief 2000-2001
Jolyana Begay 2001-2002
Shaunda Tsosie 2002-2003
Marla Billey 2003-2004
Jannalee Atcitty 2004-2005
Rachelle James 2005-2006
Jocelyn Billy 2006-2007
Jonathea Tso 2007-2008
Yolanda Charley 2008-2009
Tashina Nelson 2009-2010
Winifred Jumbo 2010-2011
Crystalyne Curley 2011-2012
Leandra Thomas 2012-2013
Natasha Hardy 2013-2014
McKeon Dempsey 2014-2015
Alyson Shirley 2015-2016
Ronda Joe 2016-2017
Crystal Littleben 2017-2018
Autumn Montoya 2018-2019
Shaandiin Parrish 2019-2021
Niagara Rockbridge 2021-2022
Valentina Clitso 2022-Present

References
  1. O'Hara, Caitlin (13 November 2018). "Becoming Miss Navajo Nation". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  2. "Inside This Year's Miss Navajo Pageant". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  3. "Cline Library - Indigenous Voices of the Colorado Plateau - Miss Navajo". library.nau.edu. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.