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NCAI honored the former Miss NCAI Scholarship winners at the 63rd Annual Convention in Sacramento, California in 2007. |
History of Miss NCAI
In 1966, Mr. Wendell Chino, then president of NCAI, introduced the idea of hosting a pageant to recognize outstanding young Indian women. Clarence Tall expressed the idea further to members of the planning committee. However, it took two years for the pageant to become a reality. During the annual convention in Omaha, Nebraska, Eula Doonkeen of Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and Benny Atencio of Santo Domingo Pueblo served as co-chairs of the pageant, thus ushering in one of the most remarkable events of the annual convention.
During the initial event, seven contestants participated, each hoping to be elected as the first Miss NCAI. Miss Marti Thomas, Winnebago, was the first recipient of the Miss NCAI crown and was awarded a wristwatch and a scholarship to John Kennedy University. Miss Thomas was the first of many talented and aspiring women who would represent NCAI and Indian Country as a goodwill ambassador. Following the Omaha convention, the Executive Council decided that the pageant would be an annual event.
Since the beginning, Miss NCAI has served as both a goodwill ambassador and a socially conscious spokesperson. She has shared her culture with others, instilling pride and challenging stereotypes. As a socially conscious spokesperson, she has educated others about the issues affecting Native Americans and reached out to support charitable causes throughout the nation. She has done all of this while pursuing her education and gaining skills that will prepare her to challenge, amend, and improve the conditions of American Indian people.
During the annual convention, the Miss NCAI Scholarship Pageant Program hosts talented and articulate young women from throughout the United States, each vying for the title of Miss NCAI. Each contestant demonstrates deep respect and understanding for her cultural heritage and is engaged in the pursuit of educational and personal goals. Since its beginning in 1968, the Miss NCAI Scholarship Pageant Program has become the premiere pageant for American Indian woman.
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As of June 21, 2006, the Miss NCAI Scholarship Program has been expanded and combined with the NCAI Youth Commission. NCAI Leadership announced the creation of the NCAI Youth Ambassador Leadership Program at the 2006 Mid-Year.
For more information on the NCAI Youth Ambassador Leadership Program, please visit the NCAI Youth webpage or contact our office at (202) 466-7767.
Click here for pictures of the Miss NCAI Honoring Luncheon held at the 63rd Annual Convention.
Former Miss NCAI - Brooke Grant, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Miss NCAI 2005-2006
- Madeline Soboleff-Levy, Tlingit and Haida, Miss NCAI 2004-2005
- Cheryl V. Dixon, Pueblo of Isleta, Miss NCAI 2003-2004<//u><//u><//u>
- Karen-Irene Serna, Maricopa/Hispanic, Miss NCAI 2002-2003<//u><//u><//u>
- Ponka-We Victors, Tohono O'odham/Ponca, Miss NCAI 2001-2002<//u><//u><//u>
- Liberty Toledo, Shoshone-Bannock/Jemez Peublo, Miss NCAI 2000-2001
- Emily Washines, Yakima/Cree/Skokomish, Miss NCAI 1999-2000
- Jody Potts, Han Gwitchin/Athabaskan, Miss NCAI 1998-1999
- Toni Stanger, Colville Confederated Tribes, Miss NCAI 1997-1998
- Ke-dues-cha Lara, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Miss NCAI 1996-1997
- Mary Sattler, Eskimo, Miss NCAI 1995-1996
- Letha Lamb, Akimel O'odham, Miss NCAI 1994-1995
- Tara MacLean, Alaska Native, Miss NCAI 1993-1994
- Ana Cook, Eskimo, Miss NCAI 1992-1993
- Tia Thompson, San Carlos Apache, Miss NCAI 1991-1992
- Jolene John, Yupik Eskimo, Miss NCAI 1990-1991
- Yvonne Oberly, Nez Perce/Osage/Comanche, Miss NCAI 1989-1990
- Dawn Brave Eagle, Oglala Sioux, Miss NCAI 1988-1989
- Devonne Murdock, Ute, Miss NCAI 1987-1988
- Valerie Davidson, Eskimo, Miss NCAI 1986-1987
- Karmelita Plain Bull, Crow, Miss NCAI 1985-1986
- Sheila Seetomona, Eskimo, Miss NCAI 1984-1985
- Janice Tsosie, Mohave/Laguna/Navajo, Miss NCAI 1983-1984
- Linda Baker, Southern Ute, Miss NCAI 1982-1983
- Mary Kim Titla, San Carlos Apache, Miss NCAI 1981-1982
- Margaret Sanchez, Flathead, Miss NCAI 1980-1981
- Bunty Anquoe, Kiowa/Onandaga, Miss NCAI 1979-1980
- Judith Ramos, Tlingit, Miss NCAI 1979
- Margaret Pinkham, Yakima, Miss NCAI 1978
- Nora Yazzie, Navajo, Miss NCAI 1977-1978
- Nellie Lopez, Tohono O'odham Nation, Miss NCAI 1976-1977
- Roslyn Barstow, Chippewa/Navajo, Miss NCAI 1975-1976
- Patricia Bird, Assiniboine, Miss NCAI 1974-1975
- Rose Anne George, Shoshone-Bannock, Miss NCAI 1973-1974
- Flora Ethelbah, White Mountain Apache, Miss NCAI 1972-1973
- Carole Garcia, Tohono O'odham Nation, Miss NCAI 1971-1972
- Karen Jim, Yakima, Miss NCAI 1970-1971
- Tina Manning, Shoshone Paiute, Miss NCAI 1969-1970
- Marti Thomas, Winnebago, Miss NCAI 1968-1969
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