Family’s ‘spoon keeper’: Kassie John, fifth-generation rug weaver, crowned 2024-25 Miss Indian World

TSÉBIGHÁHOODZÁNÍ – Miss Indian World Kassie John is her family’s “spoon keeper.”

Though she isn’t a professional cook and is training in butchery and meat cutting, John is skilled in all aspects of food preparation, often focusing on what Diné like to eat.

“I really love my family. I love my Indigenous people. That love––but I don’t know how to butcher a sheep yet,” John said. “I’m training in that.”

“They’re (family) like, ‘You’re a good cook!’” she said of her family in the Tsiiłchin (Chiiłchin) Bii’ Tó and the Tsé Ntsaa Deez’áhí areas. “I’m like, ‘Not by choice.’”

Kassie John, 25, was crowned the new Miss Indian World during the 41st Annual Gathering of Nations powwow in Bee’eldííldahsinil on April 27.

She is the daughter of David and Shirley John. She is Tó’áhani and born for Bit’ahnii. Her maternal grandfather is ‘Áshįįhí, and her paternal grandfather is Kinłichíi’nii.

“I always say Diné Bikéyah because I’m from the home of the People,” Kassie John said. “My dad is from Rock Point, and my mom is from Chilchinbeto. I’m connected to both sides.

“My bízhí in Rock Point are my cultural caretakers. They always practice ceremony … and they’re my role models,” she added. “I look to my mom’s side: my aunties and my late grandma, they’re all talented rug weavers – both sides of my family.

“And that’s why I always look to … my relatives in Chilchinbeto and Rock Point for grounding me and giving me guidance in terms of language, culture, ceremony – and they’re always making me their spoon keeper.”

Naalchi’í

Miss Navajo Amy Naazbah Reeves-Begaye wanted to welcome her “sister,” Miss Indian World Kassie John, to the Navajo Nation capital in style. So, law enforcement officers on Monday afternoon escorted the pair in a Navajo Police unit from Na’nízhoozhí to the president’s office for a visit with President Buu Nygren, his staff, and officials.

On the way, John leaned over to Begaye and said, “I’ve never been in a police car before.” The pair giggled, and she added, “I guess that’s a good thing.”

John felt loved and honored as she made her way to the president’s office. The pair talked about a few things, learned they hold similar positions, and both want to be in the medical field after service.

“We both are wanting to be professionals in public health,” John said. “I’m a tribal health equity leader. I work with a lot of different tribal Nations in Utah. I work in (Sooléí), and that’s what I do professionally.”

It’s been 11 years since Diné Bikéyah had a Miss Indian World. The last Diné Miss Indian World titleholder was Kansas K. Begaye, the 2013-14 cultural ambassador from Waterflow, New Mexico.

John turned 11 when Kansas Begaye’s was selected as the Miss Indian World inside The Pit at the University of New Mexico.

“I remember she was being crowned,” John reminisced. “I was so proud. I didn’t know her (Begaye) personally. Everybody screaming. It was at The Pit, a smaller venue, so the screams were real loud.”

John said she’s been going to the Gathering of Nations with her family since she was a child. Every year, she sees strong Diné women, each of whom has the potential to be Miss Indian World and showcase the Diné culture and language.

“And just how we are as people,” John explained. “They (Miss Indian World staff) tell us at the pageant, ‘It (Miss Indian World crown) goes where it needs to go.’ Our Native people chose where this crown needed to be, and it chose to be here in our community.’”

John competed for the Miss Indian World title in 2022, after which she earned a bachelor’s in multi-disciplinary design from the University of Utah. The title went to 2022-23 Miss Indian World Tashina Red Hawk.

Coronation night

Earning the Miss Indian World title has been a long time coming, said Kassie John, who wore a traditional outfit created by Diné designer Wilfred Jumbo adorned with dootł’izhii and béésh łigaii – a few of her grandmother’s jewelry.

Jumbo designs and creates outfits for Miss Navajo titleholders, so it was fitting she wore Jumbo’s design when she was crowned.

“My pendant was my grandmother’s, so I was really thinking and just holding onto it,” John said. “This (pendant) is my source of strength right here. Then (I had) the jewelry that my mom bought me.”

In an interview on Monday evening inside the Navajo Times newsroom, John said it’s been her dream to be a Miss Indian World titleholder.

“It was both an honor and a privilege to attend (the GON) and see all the different cultures coming together – learning about different people’s backgrounds,” she said.

Being among different tribes from across the U.S. and Canada and sharing language, food, and culture inspired her to become a student again in honor of learning about people.

“I was really thinking about what brought me to the powwow,” she said. “In terms of being a proud Diné woman, I always look back to my sáanii and másáni and how they really paved the way and empowered me to be … asking to be Miss Indian World. And advocating – I want to be this; I want to do this because I come from a strong line of Diné women leaders.”

She says that line starts with Asdzą́ą́ Nádleehé, who taught that a Diné woman can do great things.

“And this is one great thing I aspired to do, and I’m honored and very proud to hold this title,” John said. “And I hope to represent everyone really, really well and showcase that we (Natives) all come from those long lineages.

“All Diné women have qualities to be (a) Miss Indian World,” she added. “I just so happen to be picked this year because the crown … chose to be in the Navajo Nation.”

Now that the Miss Indian World beaded crown is back in Diné Bikéyah, John is ready to cement her place in the position.

Fifth-generation rug weaver

Kassie John introduced herself as an artist – a fifth-generation rug weaver-in-training and a designer ­- whose má yázhí and bízhí, experts in rug weaving, inspired her to channel her creative energy.

“Like my mom, she makes powwow regalia and does beadwork,” she said. “She’s so talented. That’s why I’m so proud to say I’m an artist. I’m forever a student.”

John’s platform involves empowering Native American youth to be artists and recognize that they come from a long line of rich Native culture.

“For my Diné people in particular, we have rug-weaving, silversmith(ing) – we’ve all these different things that we express ourselves,” John said. “Let’s be creative. I always tell people, ‘Even though you say you can’t draw, it doesn’t matter. You’re an artist.’ In my eyes, you’re always going to be an artist.

“We’re always told, ‘We’re so resilient,’” she added. “We show that we’re thriving and we’re happy through our artwork. I’m just so proud to say I’m an artist because that’s what it means.”

One way the younger generation can empower themselves is through digital storytelling, said John, who’s also a small business owner. She runs “Native Generations,” a woman-owned Native dance company that tells stories.

Native Generations comprises Native dancers, singers, and cultural consultants who perform worldwide.

“We do a lot of cultural training and advocacy for Native people through powwow dancing and do a lot of cultural consult(ing),” John added. “Native people, we just have so many side hustles, so many identities. And I’m a spoon keeper.”

Information: https://kassiejohn.myportfolio.com/work.

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