Honorees

Miss Indian America 1953-1984
Titleholders for Miss Indian America were originally between 16-25 years of age which was later changed to 18-25 years of age.  In addition, contestants were required to be enrolled members of a tribe with a one-half or more blood quantum.

Each contestant was judged by a panel or panels of judges who evaluated their knowledge about their tribes, tribal culture, tribal relationships with the federal government, public speaking and tribal attire.

Miss Indian America often lived in Sheridan with  a host family and traveled throughout the US being interviewed with several invited to Europe. These appearances were at small and large tribal gatherings, rodeos, schools and colleges, as well as interviews in newspapers, radio, and television shows.

1953-54
Miss Indian America I, Arlene Wesley (Yakama)

1954-55
Miss Indian America II, Mary Louise Defender (Yanktonais Sioux)

1955-56
Miss Indian America III, Rita Ann McLaughlin (Hunkpapa Sioux)

1956-57
Miss Indian America IV, Sandra Mae Gover (Skidi Pawnee)

1957-58
Miss Indian America V, Ruth Lee Larson (Gros Ventre)

1959-60
Miss Indian America VI, Delores Marie Racine (Blackfeet)

1960-61
Miss Indian America VII, Vivian Linda Arviso (Diné)

1961-62
Miss Indian America VIII, Brenda Bearchum (Northern Cheyenne, Walla Walla, Yakama)

1962-63
Miss Indian America IX, Ramona Edith Soto (Klamath)

1963-64
Miss Indian America X, Williamette Youpee (Sisseton, Yankton Sioux)

1964-65
Miss Indian America XI, Michele Ann Portwood (Northern Arapaho)

1965-66
Miss Indian America XII, Marcelle Sharron Ahtone (Kiowa)

1966-67
Miss Indian America XIII, Wahleah Lujan (Taos Pueblo)

1967-68
Miss Indian America XIV, Sarah Ann Johnson (Diné)

1968-69
Miss Indian America XV, Thomasine Ruth Hill (Apsáalooke-Crow, Pawnee)

1969-70
Miss Indian America XVI, Winona Margery Haury (Cheyenne, Arapaho, Santee Sioux, Diné)

1970-71
Miss Indian America XVII, Virginia Stroud (Cherokee)

1971-72
Miss Indian America XVIII, Nora Mae Begay (Diné)

1972-73
Miss Indian America XIX, Louise Sheryl Edmo (Shoshone-Bannock)

1973-74
Miss Indian America XX, Maxine Henrietta Norris (Tohono O’odham)

1974-75
Miss Indian America XXI, Claire Aca Manning (Shoshone, Paiute)

1975-76
Miss Indian America XXII, deana harragarra (Otoe Kiowa)

1976-77
Miss Indian America XXIII, Kristine Royola Harvey (White Mountain Apache)

1977-78
Miss Indian America XXIV, Gracie Ann Welsh (Mohave, Chemehuevi, Yavapai)

1978-79
Miss Indian America XXV, Susan Marie Arkeketa (Otoe-Missouria, Muscogee Creek)

1980-81
Miss Indian America XXVI, Melanie Tallmadge (Ho-Chunk, Sioux)

1981-82
Miss Indian America XXVII, Jerilyn LeBeau (Cheyenne River Sioux)

1982-84
Miss Indian America XXVIII, Vivian Juan (Tohono O’odham)

1984-85
Miss Indian America XXIX, Anne Louise Willie (White Mountain Apache, Paiute)

Miss Indian America Host Families
Miss Indian America traveled around the country while living in Sheridan. Host families provided a home base giving support and a warm, family atmosphere. Their generosity often went beyond expectations. The host families often became the second home in the years afterwards.

Mr. and Mrs. Bud and Helen Benth
Dr. Ray and Eleanor Bentzen
Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Rita Booth
Mr. and Mrs. Ross and Peggy Campbell
Mr. and Mrs. Truman and Roberta Cheney
Mr. and Mrs. Willard Sr. and Anne Cook
Mr. and Mrs. John and Dorothy Duncan
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer and Dorothy Enzi
Mr. and Mrs. James and Matilda “Tillie” Goar
Mr. and Mrs. Norman and Lena Guster
Mr. and Mrs. Vince and Mary Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey and Letha Johnston
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne and Shirley Kadrmas
Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Marjorie Kraft
Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Doris Mullinax
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. and Harriet Neighbors
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Parsons
Mr. and Mrs. John and Virginia Patton
Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Marge Reddington
Mr. and Mrs. John and Lee Rompf
Dr. and Mrs. James Scott
Mr. and Mrs. Howard and Ida Sinclair
Mr. and Mrs. Victor and Jackie Slack
Mr. and Mrs. James and Mary Stanton
Mr. and Mrs. Don and Arlene Tannehill
Mr. and Mrs. William and Norma Troxler

Outstanding Indian of the Year
The Outstanding Indian of the Year was an individual whose service helped others. They were highly respected. Some came from humble homes on Indian reservations. A few were at the highest levels of influence in Washington, D.C. These awardees were writers, singers, dancers and storytellers. Still others were tribal leaders, corporate executives or judges.

The Outstanding Indian of the Year inspired Native youth and emerging tribal leaders. They opened doors for service to tribes. Careers in law, education, the arts, media, health, and the environment became possible for young people. The well-being of Native communities, families and children continue to benefit from these individuals’ work.

1955 Napoleon B. Johnson (Cherokee) Judge
1956 Benjamin Reifel (Brule) Congressman
1957 W.W. Keeler (Cherokee) Principal Chief
1959 W. Allen (Pawnee) TV Actor
1960 James Gladstone (Blood) Senator/Canada
1961 Joe Garry (Coeur d’Alene) Statesman
1963 Oral Roberts (Cherokee) Evangelist
1967 Robert S. Youngdeer (Eastern Cherokee) Chief
1967 Barney Old Coyote (Apsáalooke-Crow) Presidential Advisor
1967 Wilma L. Victor (Choctaw) Educator
1967 John B. Buckanaga (Chippewa) Indian Health
1967 Robert L. Bennett (Oneida) Commissioner, Bureau of Indian Affairs
1967 Wauhillau La Hay (Cherokee) Journalist
1967 Forrest Gerard (Blackfoot) Interior Department
1967 Roger A. Jourdain (Ojibwe) Chairman, Red Lake Band
1968 Zack O. Rowland (Cheyenne) U.S. Army
1968 Annie D. Wauneka (Diné) Medal of Freedom Award
1969 Tom and Susie Yellowtail (Apsáalooke-Crow) AAID Advisors
1970 Nelson Big Bow Jr. (Kiowa) Singer/Artist
1970 Norman Allen (Fallon Paiute) Veteran
1970 McGaa Sisters (Oglala Sioux) Clothing Designers
1970 Lloyd Kiva New (Cherokee) Co-Founder IAIA
1971 Harry W. Richie (Potawatomi) Tribal Chairman
1972 Dr. Lionel DeMontigny (Chippewa-Cree) Physician
1973 Howard Goodbear (Cheyenne-Arapaho) Tribal Chairman
1975 Frank Fools Crow (Oglala Sioux) Sun Dance Chief
1975 Dr. Joe Medicine Crow (Apsáalooke-Crow) Historian
1977 Edward Butcher (Northern Cheyenne) Businessman

American Indian Arts and Crafts Exposition
The brilliance of Native American cultural life was on full display at this American Indian art market.

Native artists and emerging artists from schools from throughout Indian Country competed for awards. Nationally renowed artists included Blackbear Bosin (Comanche, Kiowa), Fritz Scholder (La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians), and R.C. Gorman (Diné), who submitted artwork during their early years. Categories for judging included pottery, textiles, carvings, painting and metalwork.

Traditional heirlooms of Native families were a popular display. Clothing, dance regalia, tipi coverings, horse trappings, weapons and household items were shown with great pride. Everyone marveled at the skill and creativity of bead workers.

A National Advisory Committee oversaw the art competition. They were: Senator Malcolm Wallop, Chair; Dr. Alfred E. Dittart, Museum of New Mexico; Michael Kennedy, Montana Historical Society; Dr. Frederick J. Dockstader, Museum of the American Indian; Dr. Bertha P. Dutton, Museum of Navajo Ceremonial Art; Alvin M. Josephy, American Heritage Editor; Al Momaday, (Kiowa); Natachee Momaday, (Cherokee); Norman Feder, Denver Art Museum; and Vincent Price, Bureau of Indian Affairs Arts and Crafts Board.