Community leaders, business owners, civic clubs, and churches from all over Sheridan County volunteered their time, expertise, and work in support of All American Indian Days.  From the beginning, an Indian Executive Committee met with and guided the All American Indian Days Board of Directors.  Neither were compensated for their time or travel. Their collaboration was rare at a time when their efforts for racial equality preceded the passage of major Civil Rights laws during that era.  

In Recognition

Leaders

For 29 years, the Board of Directors of All American Indian Days held the vision to eliminate racial discrimination against Native Americans. Founder/Secretary General Manager F. Howard Sinclair was inspired to promote inter-racial harmony in the Sheridan community.


Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library

Read More

Praise

Rev. Raymond Clark, pastor of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, organized a non- denominational inter-racial Sunday Service during AAID.  Native clergy, soloists, and choirs highlighted these services.

Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan Fulmer Public Library

Read More

Honorees

For almost three decades, Sheridan was the gathering place for celebrating Miss Indian America, honoring an Outstanding Indian of the Year, and celebrating excellence in Native arts and culture. Tribal leaders, scholars, and advocates came to exchange information and share ideas. They met with Governors, national and state officials who came to listen, discuss, and resolve tribal issues through informal meetings.

Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan Fulmer Public Library

Read More

Helping Hands

Hundreds of volunteers came from Sheridan, nearby towns and ranches.  Day and night, these selfless volunteers made All American Indian Days happen. 

Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library

Read More

  • Leaders
    F. Howard Sinclair, a local journalist also known as Neckyoke Jones, was General Manager of AAID, 1953-1957. Sinclair with Crow advisors created All American Indian Days to build a better understanding of Native people.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Leaders
    The Kalif Management Corporation Officers and Trustees worked closely with the Indian Executive Committee.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Leaders
    The Indian Executive Committee came from different tribes across the country and implemented the production of All American Indian Days.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Leaders
    Dr. Joe Medicine Crow (Apsáalooke-Crow) and Brummett Echohawk (Pawnee) were Masters of Ceremonies for the afternoon and evening programs during All American Indian Days.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Leaders
    Emmie Mygatt was an author who served as a judge, chaperone, and organized appearances for Miss Indian America in New York City and the New England states..

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Praise
    In 1956, the Fifth Army Band and the Great Lakes Naval Band performed at All American Indian Days. That year, the Miss Indian America Pageant attracted 91 entrants, representing 47 tribes from 33 states.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library

  • Praise
    Local church congregations joined Native people at the non-denominational Sunday service led by visiting Native pastors.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library

  • Praise
    The Rev. Vine Deloria, (Standing Rock Sioux), Episcopalian, delivered a sermon at the Sunday Service in 1953 and again in 1962.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Praise
    June Poitras (Klamath), a popular soloist, singing the Lord's Prayer in 1968. Her daughters performed Indian sign language as she sang.

    Photo: Courtesy of  the Ziemer Studios, The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Praise
    The Rev. Harold S. Jones, Santee Sioux, provided the sermon "Our God Given Heritage" in 1960.  He became first American Indian Bishop of the Espiscopal Diocese of South Dakota.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Honorees
    W. W. Keeler (Cherokee) receiving the Outstanding Indian of the Year in 1957. He served as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and later became CEO of the Phillips Petroleum Company.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library

  • Honorees
    According to the 1955 program information, there were 72 Native young women candidates from 27 tribes and 12 states.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library

  • Honorees
    Several Miss Indian America titleholders lived with a host family during their reign.  Mr. John W. Patton, his wife Virginia, and their five children welcomed Miss Indian America XIV in 1967 and Miss Indian America XXVI in 1980.

    Photo: Dick Kehrwold, Courtesy of the family of John W. Patton

  • Honorees
    Susie Yellowtail (Apsáalooke-Crow), one of the original AAID Native advisors, wholeheartedly, supported the Miss Indian America pageant, often traveling with the titleholder as a chaperone.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Honorees
    Miss Indian America XIV (1967) Sarah Ann Johnson (Diné), and her chaperone, Mrs. Glen Jackson (Apsáalooke-Crow), Wyola, Montana, stand proudly in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Honorees
    DeAmelia E. Reichert, first woman Vice President of the New York Life Insurance Company, greets Miss Indian America XXVI  Margery Haury (Cheyenne-Arapaho-Diné-Santee Sioux)  and her chaperone Helen Benth in New York City.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    Wanda Judson (Cheyenne River Sioux) is a Miss Indian America contestant surrounded by wranglers from nearby ranches who brought horses to help with the parade and performances.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    The AAID Parade was a highlight for locals and visitors as they watched the brightly decorated floats, horse-drawn wagons, fancy cars, and regal horses carrying distinguished guests, civic leaders, and honorees down Main Street.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    Miss Indian America XIII Wahleah Lujan (Taos Pueblo) and her grandfather, Paul Bernal, riding in the parade on a convertible loaned by a local car dealer.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    Spectators looking at the tipi race, a popular competition for women. Here a woman is anchoring her tipi with a peg.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    The Sheridan Branch of the American Association of University Women produced the annual Souvenir Booklet that included articles, photos, and the schedule of AAID activities.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    Shifts of volunteers ensured that everyone was welcomed with a plateful of delicious food and drinks during All American Indian Days.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    Outdoor food service and good weather brought locals, honored guests, visitors, and tribal friends together to share a meal and conversation.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    Imagine the stories and excitement these Miss Indian America candidates shared while visiting and laughing as they took a lunch break from their busy schedules.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    Agnes Deernose (Apsáalooke-Crow) and new friend at the barbeque.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    Al Momaday (Kiowa) was Director of the Arts and Crafts Committee. An annual art competition and market featured the finest works by Native artists.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library.

  • Helping Hands
    Two women pause to admire a hand-woven basket.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Wyoming Room, SheridanCounty Fulmer Public Library.

Have questions, or memories, stories, quotations, or photographs to share? Please contact us!