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. 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. They compete in such activities as answering questions about traditional and modern Navajo customs both in Navajo and English, sheep butchering, 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."

Miss Navajo Nation Title Holders

Dates are the year the title was awarded, not the year it was conceded to the following contestant. + Year Image Winner 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 Alyson Jeri Shirley 2015 McKeon Kova Dempsey 2016 Ronda Joe 2017 Crystal Littleben 2018 Autumn Montoya 2019 Shaandiin Parrish 2020 Not held due to COVID pandemic 2021 Niagara A. C. Rockbridge 2022 Valentina P. N. Clitso 2023 Amy Naazbah Reeves-Begaye 2024 Ranisha Chrislyn Begay 2025 Camille Uentillie

Miss Navajo

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