Red Hawk crowned new Miss Indian World at Gathering of Nations
From left, first runner-up Cordelia Falls Down, new Miss Indian World Tashina Red Hawk and second runner-up Chante Speidel get an honor song on April 30.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Tashina Red Hawk from the Sicangu Lakota Nation, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, South Dakota was crowned the new Miss Indian World 2022-2023 at the Gathering of Nations on Saturday, April 30.
For her traditional talent, Red Hawk showcased the “Lakota Way of Life” by singing a traditional Lakota song, discussing Lakota beadwork and horse culture, and gave a bow and arrow demonstration. Red Hawk is 18 years old and the daughter of Shane and Noella Red Hawk.
First runner up is Cordelia Falls Down from the Crow Tribe/United Keetoowah Band, Crow Agency Band of Montana and Chante Speidel from the Swampy Cree/Hunkpapa Lakota, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-Canada was second runner up.
Other awards in the Miss Indian World competition included: Best Essay, Tashina Red Hawk; Best Public Speaker, Autumn Dawn McMillan, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Philadelphia, Mississippi; Best Traditional Talent, Ontaria Arrow White, Shoshone-Bannock/Northern Ute/ Ute Mountain Ute, Fort Hall, Idaho; Best Dancer, Chante Speidel, Swampy Cree/Hunkpapa Lakota, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-Canada; Miss Congeniality, Ontaria Arrow White, Shoshone-Bannock/Northern Ute/ Ute Mountain Ute, Fort Hall, Idaho.
According to a press release, the purpose of the Miss Indian World pageant is to give young Native American women an opportunity to showcase their tribes and cultures; while serving as a cultural ambassador of Native Americans by demonstrating the pride and continuance of the diverse cultures of Native people.
Two representatives of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes competed in the pageant among 23 contestants, they were Ontaria Arrow White and Mauricea TwoEagle.
The Traditional Presentation kicked off the event on Thursday, April 28, which highlighted the girl’s tribal knowledge, language and talents.
Shoshone-Bannock tribal member MIW pageant contestants Ontaria Arrow
White (left) and Mauricea TwoEagle.
Mauricea TwoEagle is also from the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge, South Dakota. For her Traditional Presentation she demonstrated how to make Pine Nut Soup, which is a source of food for her Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California people. She talked about how wildfires have affected the tribes harvest and the dish was one not many knew how to make anymore. As she showed the process of cooking the food she sang a song to bring positive feelings to the dish.
Arrow White is the reigning Miss Shoshone-Bannock and is also from the Northern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes. She performed the Ute Bear Dance as her Traditional Presentation. She explained with the first thunder the people were to prepare for the coming of spring and reunite with family and friends after long winter. They come together to celebrate life and give thanks to the blessings they have received. The Ute Bear dance comes once a year taking away negative energy and brings good feeling. The people come dressed in their finest attire and it's the ladies choice to choose her partner, however she must not dance with her relatives or her significant other.
MIW contestant Ontaria Arrow White doing her Bear Dance presentation
on Thursday, April 28.
Arrow White described the role of the singers and how they use bear growlers to simulate the bear growling. The line dance represents the bears standing on its two feet going back and forth while standing in place with their partner. She dedicated the dance to everyone for surviving the pandemic.
On Friday, April 29 the contestant answered their Impromptu Question before a crowd on Stage 49.
TwoEagle was to describe where her tribe is located and what it is known for and what makes it different from other tribes. She said the Washoe Tribe was in Nevada and California by Lake Tahoe and Reno. She said the tribe was made up of about 1,000 people. They are known for their traditional baskets, which she used in her Traditional Presentation.
MIW contestant Mauricea TwoEagle pine nut soup demonstration.
Arrow White was asked about one of her traditional foods or beverages and what is its significance. She said the traditional food from her newe is yaha, or a groundhog. She said it was eaten once a year in June or July when it’s ready to be eaten. She talked about the process of preparing the yaha which can be cooked over an open firepit or an oven.
Later than evening the young ladies demonstrated their traditional dances, which did not only have to be a powwow style dance. TwoEagle danced with her Washoe basket and Arrow White danced Old Style Jingle.
