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Miss Indian America facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Miss Indian America was a special event held every year from 1953 to 1989. It was a pageant that celebrated young Native American women. This event was part of the annual All-American Indian Days festival in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Girls who entered the pageant were judged on many things. They showed their appearance and how well they could talk. They also shared their knowledge of their culture and tribal traditions. Contestants were also tested on their understanding of tribal, state, and federal governments. They also showed off their talents in traditional and modern tribal skills.

The young woman who won the Miss Indian America title became a special representative. She was seen as a cultural ambassador for Native Americans. Her job was to help people from Native American and non-Native American backgrounds understand each other better. She did this by giving speeches, appearing at public events, and joining important meetings with different governments.

Past Winners of Miss Indian America

This table lists the young women who won the Miss Indian America title each year. It also shows which Native American nation they belonged to.

Year Winner Nation
1989 Wanda Johnson Navajo
1988 Bobette Kay Wildcat Shoshone
1987 Linda Kay Lupe White Mountain Apache
1986 Audra Arviso Navajo
1985 Jorja Frances Oberly Osage-Commanche-Nez Perce
1984 Anne-Louise Willie White Mountain Apache-Paiute
1983 Debbie Secakuku Hopi
1982 Vivian Juan Tohono O'odham
1981 Jerilyn Lebeau Cheyenne River Sioux
1980 Melanie Tallmadge Winnebago-Minnesota Sioux
1978-9 Susan Arkeketa Otoe-Missouria/Muscogee Creek
1977 Gracie Welch Mohave-Chemehuevi-Yavapai
1976 Kristine Rayola Harvey White Mountain Apache
1975 Deana Jo Harragarra Otoe-Kiowa
1974 Claire Manning Shoshone-Paiute
1973 Maxine Norris Tohono O'odham
1972 Louise Edmo Shoshone-Bannock
1971 Nora Begay Navajo
1970 Virginia Stroud Keetoowah Cherokee
1969 Margery Haury Cheyenne-Arapahoe-Navajo-Sioux
1968 Thomasine Hill Crow-Pawnee
1967 Sarah Johnson Navajo
1966 Wahleah Lujan Taos Pueblo
1965 Marcelle Ahtone Kiowa
1964 Michele Portwood Arapaho
1963 Williamette Youpee Sisseton-Yankton Dakota
1962 Ramona Soto Klamath
1961 Brenda Bearchum Northern Cheyenne
1960 Vivian Arviso Navajo
1959 Delores Racine Blackfeet
1958 Not held  
1957 Ruth Larson Gros Ventre
1956 Sandra Gover Skidi Pawnee
1955 Rita Ann McLaughlin Hunkpapa Lakota
1954 Mary Louise Defender Yanktonai Dakota
1953 Arlene Wesley Yakama Nation
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Miss Indian America Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.