Kalle Benallie
ICT
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — The crown and sash of the Miss Indian World title made its final appearance on the Gathering of Nations stage after 41 years.
The crowd cheered for Dania Wahwasuck, the last woman to hold the title, when she spoke of her time as Miss Indian World, handing off her crown and sash before she left the stage.
Nine previous Miss Indian Worlds were also there with Wahwasuck. They were hugging and some were crying. The crowd also turned quiet for a moment when the sash and crown of “Miss Indian World” was exiting the Gathering of Nations stage for the last time.
Wahwasuck, Prairie Band Potawatomi and Pyramid Lake Paiute tribes, thanked Melonie Matthews, who is the daughter of Derek Matthews, the founder of the Gathering of Nations.
“I want to give Melonie Matthews a huge Miigwech for supporting me throughout my whole entire journey,” Wahwasuck said. “Melonie is so kind, caring and compassionate and she will take my phone call day or night no matter what it’s about.”
She also thanked her mother, who was there “every step of the way.”
“She’s my biggest inspiration,” Wahwasuck said. “She truly, truly, truly wants me to be the best version of myself and I don’t know what I would do without her, I couldn’t do it without her.”
The team of five women who help coordinate Miss Indian World were also introduced and honored for their work: former Miss Indian World Nikki Santos, Tia Schindler, Azella Humetewa, former Miss Indian World Cheyenne Kippenberger, Toni Williams and Maggie Brown.
“I could not have done this without you, your support, and contributions help sustain the vibrance and relevance of the Miss Indian world pageant. To the former 42 Miss Indian Worlds, thank you for stepping forward to serve as an ambassador for the Gathering of Nations,” Matthews, Santa Clara Pueblo, said.
Matthews added a thank you to her father and founder of the Gathering of Nations Derek Matthews who gave her the responsibility of facilitating the Miss Indian World program.
She lastly thanked Wahwasuck for being an active Miss Indian World for its final year.
“You made sure to go to as many places as humanly possible, and you sure did. And tonight, when you take off the crown and sash, we shall all witness an end of an amazing journey for the spirit of Miss Indian World, which will now reside in the hearts and minds of everyone whom this holds meaning,” Matthews said.
Some attendees felt that it would have been nice if all the former Miss Indian Worlds took part in the last Gathering of Nations.
Nelly Ann, Thunderchild First Nation, who danced during the powwow said she almost cried during the last Miss Indian World event.
“I hope that they’ll continue it in a different way, outside of Gathering, because it’s the last dance. I’d like to see another similar to carry it on,” Ann said. “Maybe have it at different powwows each year.”
Wahwasuck said in her videos, she made for the Gathering of Nations, to the little girls who cannot run for Miss Indian World in the future that you don’t need a crown, a sash or title to advocate what you believe in.
“I hope that I’m making my ancestors proud. I hope that I’m making you all proud,” Wahwasuck said. “I look forward to continue doing the work that I have done this year.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.