2.  One of the highlights of the annual
Gathering of Nations, the world’s largest
Native American powwow, is the Miss
Indian World Pageant. In this event, young
native women from across the country
compete by showing off their dancing skills,
speaking abilities, and tribal knowledge.
Each year’s winner becomes a cultural
ambassador and role model, traveling
throughout the U.S. and abroad to educate
people about Native American cultures
and the Gathering of Nations.

3.  The competition calls for some serious Native
American credentials—this is no fluffy beauty
pageant. Kansas K. Begaye, the current Miss Indian
World for 2013, holds a bachelor’s degree in Native
American Studies and has recorded and released
four albums of indigenous music.
As part of the 31st annual Gathering of Nations, the
2014 pageant will be held in Albuquerque, New
Mexico from April 22-26. Applications and more
information are available online at
www.gatheringofnations.com/miss_indian_world/ind
ex.htm, and the applications are due by March 20,
2014.