Slideshow | Miss Navajo Nation contestants compete in traditional skills
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
A crowd watches contestants during the Miss Navajo Nation sheep-butchering competition Sept. 7 at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds in Window Rock.
WINDOW ROCK
Naa’ahóóhai | 78th Annual Navajo Nation Fair
Three contestants in the 74th Annual Miss Navajo Nation Pageant competed in sheep butchering and traditional foods Monday, Sept. 7, at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds.
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Rochelle Francisco of Valley Store, Ariz., Tonana Ben of Chilchinbeto, Ariz., and JoAnni Begay of Pinedale, N.M., began Monday morning with the sheep-butchering competition.
The contestants worked through the butchering process as judges observed their work and asked questions.
They returned Monday afternoon for the traditional foods competition, preparing and plating food for the judges.
The competitions are part of the pageant’s evaluation of contestants seeking the Miss Navajo Nation title, including Navajo language, traditional knowledge and skills.
The winner of the sheep-butchering competition will receive the Best Butcher title. Results from the competition have not been announced and are scheduled to be revealed Saturday before the coronation.
The coronation is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the fairgrounds.
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