Two Diné women among 21 competing for Miss Indian World

By Nicholas House | Apr 6, 2025 | News |

GRANTS, N.M.

Twenty-one young women representing Native nations across North America will compete for the title of 2025-26 Miss Indian World at the 42nd Annual Gathering of Nations Powwow, held April 24-26 at Tingley Coliseum and Expo New Mexico.

Contestants hail from tribal communities spanning Alaska to Florida and from Quebec to the Southwest, bringing a diversity of languages, traditions and teachings to the anticipated cultural pageant. This year, two of the 21 contestants are Diné from Arizona: Nizhoni Edgewater and Niagara A.C. Rockbridge, the 2021-22 Miss Navajo Nation titleholder from Piñon. Rockbridge also ran for Miss Indian World in 2023.

Miss Indian World is considered one of the most prestigious cultural titles in Indian Country. The role emphasizes cultural ambassadorship rather than physical beauty, requiring contestants to demonstrate proficiency in their Native language, cultural knowledge, public speaking and traditional talent.

The pageant, which begins with the grand entry on April 24, includes a personal interview, talent presentations and the traditional dance competition. The newly crowned Miss Indian World will serve as a goodwill ambassador for Native people for the next year, traveling across the United States, Canada and beyond to represent Indigenous communities.

Representing a wide range of tribal affiliations, this year’s contestants are Malene Avila Miller (Ute Tribe, Utah), Alexis Odjick (Algonquin Anishinabe, Quebec, Canada), and Dania Wahwasuck (Prairie Band Potawatomi, Kansas);

Alice Keats (Mississippi Band of Choctaw, Mississippi), Dystnee Rope (Shoshone-Bannock, White Mountain Apache, Idaho), and Aurora Ominika-Enosse (Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, Ontario);

Bianka Gardner (Alabama Coushatta, Texas), Laney Lupe (White Mountain Apache, Arizona), Cece Thomas (Seminole Tribe of Florida, Florida), Phoenix Tekatsitsianekon Thomas (Mohawk, New York), Cynthia Bond (Pauma Band of Mission Luiseno, California), Scarlett Guy (Eastern Band of Cherokee, North Carolina), and Shavaughn Titla (White Mountain Apache, Arizona);

Tatiana Korthuis (Yup’ik, Alaska), Thomlyn Billie (Seminole Tribe of Florida Miccosukee, Florida), Waurica Miller (Warm Springs, Wasco, Paiute, Oregon), Kegona Brazeau (Anishinabe, Quebec, Canada), and Huntre Jamison (Mohawk, Ontario, Canada).

New Mexico will also be represented by Kelsey Quintana of the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The field showcases the strength and diversity of Native womanhood, with participants from smaller tribal nations like the Pauma Band of Mission Luiseno in California and larger communities such as the White Mountain Apache and Mohawk Nations.

The reigning Miss Indian World Kassie John from Rock Point, Arizona, will crown her successor on Saturday, April 26, during the powwow’s final ceremonies.