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 in 1952. She was crowned 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 enter the Miss Navajo Nation pageant, contestants must be over 18 years old. They must also be unmarried and have finished high school. A very important rule is that they must be able to speak the Navajo language.
Contestants show their skills in many ways. They answer questions about old and new Navajo customs. They do this in both Navajo and English. They also show traditional skills like sheep butchering. Plus, they perform a talent that can be either modern or based on Navajo culture.
The current Miss Navajo Nation for 2024-2025 is Ranisha Begay.
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A documentary movie 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. The movie was released in 2006 and shown on the Independent Lens series on PBS in 2007.
The Miss Navajo tradition is still very important today. The Miss Navajo Nation title holder has duties as a leader. She guides and serves as a role model for the Navajo people.
The main goal of Miss Navajo Nation is to show the best qualities of Navajo women. She represents important figures from Navajo culture. These include First Woman, White Shell Woman, and Changing Woman.
Miss Navajo Nation also acts as a special ambassador. She is a leader, teacher, and friend to the Navajo people. She is seen as a "grandmother, mother, aunt, and sister" to everyone.
In 1999, Navajo government leaders agreed on something important. They said that keeping Navajo culture alive should be a main goal. So, the Office of Miss Navajo Nation works to encourage all Navajo people to help preserve their culture. Miss Navajo Nation shows how important Navajo women are, with respect and honor.
The dates below show the year each person was crowned Miss Navajo Nation.
- 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 — Amy Naazbah Reeves-Begaye
- 2024 — Ranisha Chrislyn Begay
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)
See also
- List of beauty pageants
