Miss Indian World


Founded in 1983, Miss Indian World is a five-day competition held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The event is part of the annual Gathering of Nations, the largest Native American powwow in the world. Young women from across North America represent their tribes and communities as they compete to win the crown. Rather than emphasizing contestants' outward appearance, Miss Indian World aims to select a winner who demonstrates a deep understanding of her culture, traditions, people and history.
Once awarded the title, Miss Indian World acts as a cultural representative, promoting individually-selected platforms, sharing Native American culture, and representing the annual Gathering of Nations event. This role is important to the native community because it helps perpetuate traditions and overturn negative stereotypes.
In addition to the title, Miss Indian World also wins prize money, the Miss Indian shawl and banner, a four-day ocean cruise, and a travel stipend to attend powwows, conferences, workshops, and festivals. Previous Miss Indian World winners have continued to be sought-after speakers, even after they have passed on the crown.

Competition requirements

To qualify for Miss Indian World, contestants must be native or indigenous Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 as age requirements were updated for the 2018 pageant with a verifiable tribal affiliation. They must also be single, never married, and have no dependents.
Each contestant participates in four categories: Public Speaking and Personal Interviews, Traditional Talent Presentation, Dance Competition, and Essay. Contestants are evaluated based on their skill, as well as cultural knowledge about tribes and traditions. The woman who accumulates the most points in each category will hold the Miss Indian World title for one year.

Winner history

YearMiss Indian WorldTribe
2019Cheyenne KippenbergerSeminole Tribe of Florida
2018Taylor SusanWhite Mountain Apache/Walker River Paiute Tribes
2017Raven SwampMohawk Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy
2016Danielle Ta'Sheena FinnStanding Rock Sioux
2015Cheyenne BradySac and Fox /Cheyenne /Pawnee /Otoe /Kiowa /Apache /Hidatsa /Arikara /Tonkawa
2014Taylor ThomasShoshone Bannock
2013Kansas K. BegayeNavajo Nation
2012Jessa Rae GrowingThunder-SliversFt. Peck Assiniboine and Sioux
2011Marjorie TahboneInupiaq and Kiowa
2010Dakota BrantMohawk
2009Brooke GrantHoopa, Yurok, Karuk and Chippewa
2008Nicole Alek'aq KaganakYup'ik Eskimo
2007Megan YoungPorch Band of Creek
2006Violet DuncanPlains Cree/Taino
2005Cassie ThomasSeneca Nation
2004Delana SmithRed Lake Band of Ojibwe
2003Onawa Lynn LacyNavajo Nation
2002Tia SmithCayuga/Iroquois of the Six Nations Reserve
2001Ke Aloha May Cody AloWhite Mountain Apache
2000Lillian ‘Cepa’ SparksRosebud and Lakota Sioux
1999Mitzi TolinoWhite Mountain Apache/Navajo
1998April WhittemoreLumbee
1997Shayai LuceroPueblo of Acoma/Pueblo of Laguna
1996Andrea JackTlingit/Yupik Eskimo
1995Crystal Pewo-LightfootApache of Oklahoma/Kiowa
1994J.C. LonetreeHo-Chunk Nation
1993Gloria SnowStoney Nakoda First Nation
1992Lanette AsepermyCheyenne/Kiowa
1991Janet SaupittyComanche
1990LoVina LouieCoeur d'Alene/ Okanagan & Lakes Band of the Colville Confederated Tribes
1989Tammy Deann Billey
1988Prairie Rose Little SkyPine Ridge Indian Reservation/Pine Ridge Sioux
1987Jovanna Plenty
1987Celeste Tootoosis Cree/Assiniboine
1986Lisa EwackNakoda/Dakota
1985Shelly ValdezPueblo of Laguna
1984Codi High ElkCheyenne River Sioux