Miss Navajo

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

The first Miss Navajo was Beulah Melvin Allen, in 1952.^[1] 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.^[2] They compete in such activities as answering questions about traditional and modern Navajo customs both in Navajo and English, sheep butchering,^[3] and performing a contemporary and Navajo cultural talent.

The current Miss Navajo Nation (2024-2025) is Ranisha Begay.

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."^[4]

Miss Navajo Nation Title Holders

Dates are the year the title was awarded, not the year it was conceded to the following contestant.

1952 — Beulah Melvin Allen
1953 — Ida Gail Organick
1954 — Charlotte Lawrence Greenstone
1955 — Charlotte Lawrence Greenstone
1956 — Charlotte Lawrence Greenstone (after this a limit-one rule was instituted)
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