Miss Navajo facts for kids
The Miss Navajo Nation pageant is a special event held every year on the Navajo Nation in the United States. It started in 1952. This pageant is different from many others because it focuses on Navajo culture and traditions.
The very first Miss Navajo was Beulah Melvin Allen. She was crowned in 1952 at the Navajo Nation Fair. This fair is the biggest event on the Navajo Nation. It had started just three years before the first pageant.
To become a contestant, young women must be at least 18 years old. They need to have finished high school and be able to speak the Navajo language. During the competition, they answer questions about Navajo customs, both old and new. They also show off their skills, like butchering a sheep, and perform a talent that shows off Navajo culture.
The current Miss Navajo Nation (for 2022-2023) is Valentina Clitso.
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The Miss Navajo Nation pageant is more than just a beauty contest. It's a way to celebrate and keep Navajo culture strong. The winner becomes a leader and a role model for the Navajo people. She helps guide her community and represents Navajo women with respect.
Miss Navajo Nation has important duties. She acts as a "Goodwill Ambassador" for the Navajo Nation. This means she represents her people and shares their culture with others. She is seen as a leader, a teacher, and a friend to the Navajo people. Her role is to show the importance of Navajo women and their traditions.
A documentary film called Miss Navajo was made about the pageant. Billy Luther, who is Navajo, Hopi, and Laguna, directed the film. It was filmed in 2005 and 2006 and came out in 2006. Later, it was shown on the Independent Lens TV series on PBS in 2007. The film helps people understand this special tradition.
Here is a list of the young women who have held the title of Miss Navajo Nation over the years. The dates show the year they won the title.
- 1952 — Beulah Melvin Allen
- 1953 — Ida Gail Organick
- 1954 — Charlotte Lawrence Greenstone
- 1955 — Charlotte Lawrence Greenstone
- 1956 — Charlotte Lawrence Greenstone (After this, a rule was made that a person could only win once.)
- 1957 — Emma Louise Anderson and Geraldine Morgan Pete
- 1958 — Dorothy Curtis Fixico and Vivian Linda Arviso
- 1959 — Elsie Curley Raymond and Joy Jean Sells Hanley
- 1960 — Bernice Skeet and Roseanne Kellywood Bahe
- 1961 — Lois Haskie Kansaswood and Alyse Neundorf
- 1962 — Rowena Yazzie McCabe and Emma Joe
- 1963 — Anna Mae Begay Fowler
- 1964 — Sally Ann Zah Joe
- 1965 — Carol Ann Yazzie Showalter
- 1966 — Sarah Ann Johnson Luther
- 1967 — Thelma Pablo Francisco
- 1968 — Rose McCabe Wauneka
- 1969 — Rose Ann Bekis Kenneth
- 1970 — Linda Hanove Schweigman
- 1971 — Genevieve Lee Salt
- 1972 — Janet Yazzie Caller
- 1973 — Delphine Curley Ludlum
- 1974 — Gilene Begay
- 1975 — Angela Barney Nez
- 1976 — Rosita Tsosie Holiday
- 1977 — Marilyn Help-Hood
- 1978 — Bobby Bia
- 1979 — Freda Jeli Nells
- 1980 — Sandra Eriacho
- 1981 — Dolly Manson
- 1982 — Sunny Dooley
- 1983 — Shirley Paulson
- 1984 — Lorene Lewis
- 1985 — Audra Arviso
- 1986 — Diane Taylor
- 1987 — Wena Jesus
- 1988 — Sophina Shorty
- 1989 — Geraldine Gamble
- 1990 — Jennifer Jackson-Wheeler
- 1991 — Sharon Watson Murray
- 1992 — Tina James-Tafoya
- 1993 — Tara Tsosie
- 1994 — Karen Leuppe
- 1995 — Audra J. Etsitty Platero
- 1996 — Josephine Ann Tracey
- 1997 — Radmilla A. Cody
- 1998 — Sevaleah Begay-Tsosie
- 1999 — Victoria Yazzie
- 2000 — Karletta Chief
- 2001 — Jolyana Begay-Kroupa
- 2002 — Shaunda Tsosie
- 2003 — Marla Billey
- 2004 — Jannalee Atcitty
- 2005 — Rachelle James
- 2006 — Jocelyn Billy
- 2007 — Jonathea Tso
- 2008 — Yolanda Charley
- 2009 — Tashina Nelson
- 2010 — Winifred Bessie Jumbo
- 2011 — Crystalyne Curley
- 2012 — Leandra Thomas
- 2013 — Natasha Hardy
- 2014 — McKeon Kova Dempsey
- 2015 — Alyson Jeri Shirley
- 2016 — Ronda Joe
- 2017 — Crystal Littleben
- 2018 — Autumn Montoya
- 2019 — Shaandiin Parrish
- 2020 — postponed
- 2021 — Niagara A. C. Rockbridge
- 2022 — Valentina P. N. Clitso
- 2023 — TBD
Images for kids
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Radmilla Cody (1997-8)
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Crystalyne Curley (2011-2)
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Leandra Thomas (2012-3)
