Miss Sho-Ban Kaycee Dixey shares Miss Indian World journey
MIW contestant, Kaycee Dixey, waves in Saturday's noon grand entry.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Although Kaycee Dixey didn’t bring home the title of 2023 Miss Indian World at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, N.M. she came home with 24 new sisters and memories that will last a lifetime.
The pageant began on Tuesday, April 25 with orientation and meet and greet. The girls exchanged gifts; Kaycee gave a bag, Miss Indian World contestant cup and a T-shirt, donated by Sasquatch Productions of Pocatello. They also participated in icebreakers and heard from former Miss Indian World Tashina Red Hawk who shared advice.
On Wednesday they had personal interviews, while waiting, the girls bonded over talking about their regalia. She got close to Alexis Isnana of the Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Thursday was her favorite day and most challenging, it was the day for the Traditional Talent event. Her presentation was on Circle Dance Songs.
“All of us girls went through so many emotions together. We laughed, we cried, we practiced, we sang together. It was pretty awesome,” she said.
The girl’s had three chances to practice their talent, Kaycee became frustrated as she made mistakes. She began to overthink.
Right before she went on stage she prayed and asked Creator to get her through. Fortunately, once she performed it came out naturally. She was met by the other girls in the green room who showed her support through encouraging words and hugs.
Friday was the easiest day for her as they did the dance competition and answered an impromptu question on Stage 49. She was asked to explain a significant part of her regalia. She was wearing her grandmother’s buckskin dress and talked about how it’s unique with beadwork and elk teeth. The dress was made 30 years ago and is something she takes care of it because it will one day be passed on to her own children.
In the afternoons on Friday and Saturday they rode in the Horse and Rider Regalia Parade, which was a fun experience for them.
Dixey talks about the significance of her dress in the impromptu question
portion of the pageant.
On Saturday they had to be at the Miss Indian World Lounge at 7 a.m. where they rehearsed the crowning.
There were good vibes throughout the morning as they laughed. They knew whoever got the crown would do an amazing job.
“Throughout that week each of us shared one thing in common and that was we all had a big heart. We all cared about one another. We wouldn’t let one girl sit alone and that’s what I really loved about my group. We all bonded.”
It was tough for her to vote for Miss Congeniality as she bonded with each of the girls, however, her vote went to Faithlyn Seawright, who basically saved her life after a dangerous Indian taco incident.
Before the crowning the girls came into a circle and gave a little speech because they knew this was the last time they’d be together like that. They shed some tears and wished each other well with the confidence that any of them would make an outstanding Miss Indian World.
When Tori McConnell of the Yurok and Kuruk Tribe was crowned she felt happy for her.
“She was so nice the whole week. She was very humble and that’s what I’m happy about. She’s going to carry that title pretty well and I know she’s going to do a great job,” she said.
Adding she knows all 25 of them are winners because they got to share the experience together.
Kaycee said if she could do it all over again, she would. She encourages all young women of the tribe if they want to run for Miss Indian World, do it.
“I can’t even put it in words how awesome it was,” she said.
That goes the same for running for the title of Miss Shoshone-Bannock, which is an experience within itself that helped prepare her for MIW, especially in the areas of public speaking.
Kaycee’s proud to have represented the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes at the MIW pageant and she hopes she made everyone proud because she did her best and gave it her all. She thanks everyone for their support.
Kaycee was the only contestant from Fort Hall, although Mauricea Two Eagle, is also part Shoshone-Bannock, she resides in California.
