Shantel Israel begins Miss Utah Navajo year with land conservation focus

Posted by Krista Allen | Aug 16, 2026 | News |

TSÉBII’NDZISGAII

Before Shantel Israel was crowned Miss Utah Navajo Saturday evening, the part of the competition that made her most nervous was talking about plants.

During the traditional talent portion, Israel discussed plant uses and dyes. Her concern was making sure the knowledge she shared was accurate.

“It’s a lot of knowledge to share and … I don’t want to misrepresent what a plant could be used for,” Israel said.

Israel, 25, is a senior studying biology at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. She hopes to become a biology technician with the National Park Service and eventually bring those skills home.

“And the hope is to not only talk for the land but actively care for it at the same time,” Israel said. “And from there I hope I can come back and use those skills to help the land around here.”

Israel was crowned Aug. 15, succeeding 2025-26 Miss Utah Navajo Dayhenoa C. Yazzie. Yanabah Smith of the Oljato-Monument Valley Chapter was named runner-up.

Navajo Times | Krista Allen
Yanabah Smith, left, and Shantel Israel, center, contestants for the 2026-27 Miss Utah Navajo title, stand with 2025-26 Miss Utah Navajo Dayhenoa Yazzie before the crowning ceremony Saturday, Aug. 15, at Monument Valley High School in Tsébii’ndzisgaii, Utah.

Israel is from Tsébii’ndzisgaii and is part of the Oljato-Monument Valley Chapter. She is Bit’ahnii and born for Nát’oh Dine’é. Her maternal grandfather is Yé’ii Dine’é and her paternal grandfather is Tł’ízíłání.

Land conservation is among the first priorities Israel identified as she begins her year as Miss Utah Navajo.

“I’ll be looking to protect and uphold land conservation,” she said.

Israel said she wants to create ways to protect and care for the land and plans to begin that work during her year in the title.

Asked how she plans to become involved, Israel said she would use the resources available to her and make contacts as she looks for ways to advocate for protection.

“I’m starting from step zero,” she said.

Israel’s mother was in the audience Saturday after helping her prepare for the competition, including preparing traditional foods.

Israel said she looks to her mother as an example of leadership.

“And she was here in the audience today, which was really nice,” Israel said. “She was with me through the whole process of preparing the traditional foods, the chiiłchin, and I think I’ve got a lot of leadership qualities from her.

“Yeah, I think she gave me my voice to be a leader,” she added.

Get instant access to this story by purchasing one of our many e-edition subscriptions HERE at our Navajo Times Store.