Leaders
Honoring the Leaders of All American Indian Days
For three decades, the leaders of All American Indian Days (AAID) held the vision to eliminate racial discrimination against Native Americans. Their efforts for racial equality preceded the passage of major Civil Rights laws during that era. An Indian Executive Committee directed the production while the Board of Directors managed all the logistics of the event. Both had equal powers and volunteered their time and travel. In addition, they donated their own money when funds were low. This collaboration was rare for its time.
History of the Leadership of All American Indian Days
The story of the leadership of AAID is an important part of the history of this event. An undertaking of this scope and magnitude required more than just vision. It required administration, coordination, labor, fundraising, and hard work at a very passionate level. It also required commitment to supervise hundreds of volunteers in over twenty committees.
At the beginning, a highly successful All American Indian Day was held in conjunction with the 1953 Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Local Shriners of the Sheridan Kalif Temple realized that an organization with a lot of manpower and adequate funding would be necessary to keep this event going. In October 1953, they incorporated as the Kalif Management Corporation with proceeds to go to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. The 1954 event was held separately from the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. In September 1956, the name of the organization was changed to All American Indian Days. From 1954 to 1957, the Shriners worked with the Indian Executive Committee to coordinate the event.
Although the AAID event was continuing to grow, the Shriners decided to pass the leadership torch to Sheridan leaders and local businessmen. In 1958, there was a recess of AAID as Sheridan began the management of the All American Indian Days, Inc. In 1960, a separate nonprofit, the North American Indian Foundation, was created to raise funds for an Indian Center and scholarships. It was also intended to give financial support to AAID, Inc.
During both the Shriner era (1953-57) and the AAID Corporation era (1958-73) the Indian Executive Committee, with equal powers, helped to guide the Board and to manage the production. In June 1974, there was another recess. During this time, the AAID Board of Directors and the Indian Executive Committee merged, including Natives and non-Natives, into a single AAID Board of Directors to keep the programs and its mission going. However, by 1979, AAID was again in recess due to lack of funds.
In 1980, a new board, the National Miss Indian America Pageant Board, was created and the previous three-day program with multiple events was reduced to only the Miss Indian America pageant. Then, in 1983, during the last recess, the board decided to see if other communities were interested in licensing the Miss Indian America pageant. In 1984, the last pageant was held in Sheridan. Beginning in 1985, the pageant was held in Bismarck, North Dakota, until 1989. The Miss Indian America pageant was never held again.
Volunteer Lists
Below, you can explore the individuals involved in these organizations, reflecting thousands of hours of service, advocacy, and crosscultural bridgebuilding that helped make AAID one of the most meaningful Indigenous–nonIndigenous partnership in American history.
Click on the organization to see a list of members.
1) Kalif Management Corporation Officers and Trustees (1953-1957)
2) Indian Executive Committee (1953–1957)
3) All American Indian Days Corporation Board Presidents and Members (1957–1973)
4) Indian Executive Committee (1957–1973)
5) All American Indian Days Board Presidents and Members (1974–1980)
6) National Miss Indian America Presidents and Members (1981–1984)
7) North American Indian Foundation (1960-1991)
1) Kalif Management Corporation Officers and Trustees 1953-1957
Local Shriners led the first few years of AAID, lobbying other Temples to sponsor AAID as a project to raise money for Shriner Hospitals for Crippled Children and create better racial understanding. The Kalif Management Corporation of the Shriners produced and managed AAID from 1954-57.
BOLD - Indicates Individual served on AAID Boards beyond 1957
F.H. Sinclair (Neckyoke Jones), General Manager AAID
Jewel Medicine Horse (Apsáalooke-Crow) Secretary
John Charles (JC) Rhodes, President
Harry M. Johnson, Vice President
Karl D. Bell, President
James E. Goar, Vice President
Arthur S. Atkins, Trustee
Ross Campbell, Trustee
Clifford Carroll, Trustee
William Henry Harrison, Trustee
M.D. Jenkins, Trustee
Harold J. Kaltenbach, Trustee
George Lucas, Trustee
Vern W. Needham, Trustee
Harold F. Newton
A.I. Peterson, Trustee
James Crew Reynolds, Trustee
Milward Simpson
2) Indian Executive Committee (1953–1957)
The Indian Executive Committee was the earliest structured leadership body in AAID, composed largely of Native representatives who provided essential cultural guidance, decision‑making, and community oversight. Their leadership helped the Shriners and local volunteers establish the festival’s credibility and cultural grounding.
Chairmen
Don Deernose, Apsáalooke-Crow, General Chairman
George Harris, Northern Cheyenne, Chairman
Members
James Archdale, Assiniboine
Eliza Bill, Umatilla
Joseph Black Eagle, Nez Perce
Francis Bullshoe, Blackfeet
Ben Chief, Oglala Sioux
William Circle Eagle, Cheyenne River Sioux
Martin Cross, Mandan-Gros Ventre-Arikara
Brummett Echohawk, Pawnee
Stephen Fox, Jr., Blood/Canada
Ben Friday, Arapaho
John Gates, Sioux
Matilda Grant, Shoshone Bannock
Tom Harwood, Blackfeet
Arnold Headley, Arapaho
John Howard, Standing Rock Sioux
David Isaac, Nez Perce
A. J. Mahojah, Kaw
Ella McCarty, Spokane
Joe Medicine Crow, Apsáalooke-Crow
P. Monroe, Arapaho
Wilson Moore, Arapaho
Arthur Motanic, Umatilla
Sam Nipwater, Shoshone
Jesse Old Man, Arapaho
Les Picotte, Sioux
Allen C. Quetone, Kiowa
Peter Red Horn Jr., Blackfeet
Elk Redman, Arapaho
Tom Shakespeare, Arapaho
William Shakespeare, Arapaho
John Sharp, Blackfeet
John Shaw, Osage
George Smith, Cherokee
John Stands in Timber, Northern Cheyenne
Jim Sweeney, Assiniboine Sioux
Lewis J. Tellier, Flathead
Alex Wesley, Yakama
John E. Wetsit, Assiniboine Sioux
Richard White Eagle, Standing Rock Sioux
Rev. Mitchell White Rabbit, Ho-Chunk
Oscar White Weasel, Cheyenne River Sioux
Charles White Wolf, Oglala Sioux
John Woodenlegs, Northern Cheyenne
Susie Yellowtail, Apsáalooke-Crow
Thomas Yellowtail, Apsáalooke-Crow
Judge F.B. Zahn, Standing Rock Sioux
3) All American Indian Days Corporation Board Presidents and Members (1957–1973)
These volunteers led AAID during its foundational decades, guiding national outreach, community partnerships, event programming, and civic engagement. Their leadership helped the festival expand from a regional celebration into a national Indigenous cultural event.
Presidents
Arthur S. Atkins
Bark Badgett
Karl D. Bell
Ross Campbell
The Rev. Raymond Clark
Harrison Cook
James E. Goar
M. D. Jenkins
Ed Livingston
Jack Mullinax
Ed Niehay
Marvin Parsons
Bill Pease (Apsáalooke-Crow)
A. I. Peterson
Dean Sage
Don Tannehill
Harry Weimer
Fred Working
Members
Carol Andersen (Yankton Sioux)
Ron Andersen, Sr. (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Dick Anderson
Lillian Andrew
Douglas Arbogast
Thomas Atcitty (Diné)
Arthur S. Atkins
Mark Badgett
Myra Bender
Vincent Bender (Chippewa)
Helen Benth
Carlo Beuf
Dr. Rodney Bisbee
Truman Bolinger
Hal Butler (White Mountain Apache)
Ross Campbell
Ansell Carpenter, (Crow Creek Sioux)
Clifford Carroll
Shirley Carroll
Truman M. Cheney
Milton Chillcott
The Rev. Raymond Clark
Virginia Clark
John Crider
Pat Darcy
Edith Dawdy
Alberta Day
Donald Deernose (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Harriet DeLapp
John Dregoiw
Dorothy Enzi
Elmer Enzi
Dr. George Ewan
Sarah Paine Forbes
James Forrest
Tate Frazier
Dale G. Fuller
James Goar
Tanya Goodman
Beverly Gorzalka
John Hall
Milton Hamm
Helen Harker
Milton Harm
John Hill, Sr. (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Ron Holts
Vivian Holts (Oneida)
Barbara Iron
M. D Jenkins
Mrs. Harry Johnson
Lillian Kassey
Dale E. Kinley
Stanley A. Kuzara
Marion Ladd
Ira Left Hand (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Ralph Levi
Ed Livingston
Jack Love
John A. Love, Jr.
Chales Luxmore
Ronnie Lupe (White Mountain Apache)
S. J. Madia
James Malen
Duane Mandan (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Christine Mann
Jack Marokok
Leonard McEwan
Ray McManus
Jewel Medicine Horse (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Joyce Meling
John M. Mills
John D. Mullinax
Pat Myers
Archie Nash
Vern W. Needham
Elvern J. Neighbors
Harriet Neighbors
Harold F. Newton
Ed Niehay
Marvin Parsons
John Patton
Bill Pease (Apsáalooke-Crow)
A. I. Peterson
Doris Pierson
Steve Pine (Ho-Chunk)
June Poitras (Klamath)
Joeseph J. Poll, Jr.
Dora Quaorpts (Yakama)
Gwen Quillen
John Rainer, Jr., (Taos Pueblo)
John F. Ratchye
William Rector
William Redle
James C. Reynolds
Ruth Riley
Marian Rompf
Bonnie Russell (Pawnee)
Ned Russell (Pawnee)
Dean Sage
Thomas A. Sawyer
Michael Schumaker
Edna Schunk
Tom Shakespeare (Arapaho)
Quenton Shickley
E.R. Shovlain
Milward Simpson
Fred Smith
Ed Smyth
James I. Spracklen
Glenn Sween
Donald Tannehill
Floyd Tetreault
K.C. Thompson
Lynn Thorne
Dr. Ned Tranel
Tom Trueblood
Frank Lloyd Vernon
Harry Weimer
Leroy Westika
Sidney Whitesell (Standing Rock Sioux)
Jennie Williams
Judge W. Dean Wilson (Diné)
Robert D. Wilson
Harry E. Wimer
Fred Working
Robert Wyatt
John O. Yale
Bill Youpee (Sisseton-Yankton Sioux)
4) Indian Executive Committee (1957–1973)
As the AAID Corporation and board expanded nationally, this committee continued its position as an equal partner and provided a critical advisory and leadership role, helping shape programming, protocols, tribal representation, and cross‑cultural education. Their sustained efforts ensured the event remained deeply rooted in Indigenous priorities and voices.
Chairmen
Don Deernose, Apsáalooke-Crow, General Chairman
Joe Medicine Crow, Apsáalooke-Crow, Program Chairman
Brummett Echohawk, Pawnee, Master of Ceremonies
Barney Old Coyote, Apsáalooke-Crow, Master of Ceremonies
Hank Old Coyote, Apsáalooke-Crow, Master of Ceremonies
William Shakespeare, Arapaho, Master of Ceremonies
Lefty “Wildeagle” Wilder, Karok, Master of Ceremonies
Monty Blue, Cherokee, Master of Ceremonies
Al Momaday, Kiowa, Director of Arts and Crafts
Members
Carol Anderson, Yankton Sioux
Ron Anderson, Cheyenne River Sioux
James Archdale, Assiniboine
Ben Bearchum, Northern Cheyenne
Cecelia Bearchum, Walla Walla-Yakama
Fred Beaver, Creek-Seminole
Vincent Bender, Chippewa
Eliza Bill, Umatilla
Joseph Black Eagle, Nez Perce
Eddie Box, Southern Ute
Sam Buffalo, Southern Cheyenne
Francis Bullshoe, Blackfeet
Hal Butler, White Mountain Apache
Ansell Carpenter, Crow Creek Sioux
Ben Chief, Oglala Sioux
William Circle Eagle, Cheyenne River Sioux
Alice Collin, Assiniboine Sioux
Rose Mary Cornelius, Oneida
Martin Cross, Mandan-Gros Ventre-Arikara
Lloyd Eagle Bull, Oglala Sioux
Ronald Eastman, Apsáalooke-Crow
Brummett Echohawk, Pawnee
Stephen Fox, Jr., Blood/Canada
Ben Friday, Arapaho
John Gates, Sioux
Anne George, , Colville
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gover, Pawnee
Sandra Mae Gover, Pawnee
Matilda Grant, Shoshone Bannock
Mary Greendeer, Oneida
Kenneth Harragarra, Otoe-Missouria
George Harris, Northern Cheyenne
Tom Harwood, Blackfeet
Arnold Headley, Arapaho
Jake Herman, Oglala Sioux
John Hill, Sr. Apsáalooke-Crow
William Hollowbreast, Northern Cheyenne
Vivian Holts, Oneida
John Howard, Standing Rock Sioux
Ilene Iron Cloud, Yankton Sioux
David Isaac, Nez Perce
Theodore Jamerson, Standing Rock Sioux
Rudolph King, Northern Cheyenne
Helen Kopac, Apsáalooke-Crow
Francis La Forge, Apsáalooke-Crow
Wesley LeBeau, Cheyenne River Sioux
Nathan Little Soldier, Sioux
Danny Lopez, Tohono O’odham
Alvina Lucero, Isleta Pueblo
Ronnie Lupe, White Mountain Apache
A. J. Mahojah, Kaw
Duane Mandan, Cheyenne River Sioux
Ellen McCarty, Spokane, Coeur d'Alene
James McLean, Sioux
Al Momaday, Kiowa
Natache Momaday, Cherokee
P. Monroe, Arapaho
Wilson Moore, Pawnee
Arthur Motanic, Umatilla
Eva Nichols, Omaha, Sioux
Sam Nipwater, Shoshone
Daisy Moses O’Brien, Spokane
Hank Old Coyote, Apsáalooke-Crow
Nobel Old Person, Blackfeet
Bill Pease, Apsáalooke-Crow
Les Picotte, Sioux
Elise Pinkham, Yakama
June Poitras, Klamath
Dora Quaorpts, Yakama
Allen C. Quetone, Kiowa
Peter Red Horn, Jr., Blackfeet
Bonnie Russell, Pawnee
Ned Russell, Pawnee
Tom Shakespeare, Arapaho
William Shakespeare, Arapaho
John Sharp, Blackfeet
John Shaw, Osage
Sam Slickpoo, Nez Perce
George Smith, Cherokee
Nora Spanish, Blackfeet
John Stands in Timber, Northern Cheyenne
Jim Sweeney, Assiniboine Sioux
Lewis J. Tellier, Flathead
Matilda G. Warjack, Shoshone-Bannock
Hattie M. Wesley, Yakama
Alex Wesley, Yakama
John E. Wetsit, Assiniboine Sioux
Richard White Eagle, Standing Rock Sioux
Clara White Hip, Apsáalooke-Crow
Louella Whiteman, Apsáalooke-Crow
John Whiteman Runs Him, Apsáalooke-Crow
Rev. Mitchell White Rabbit, Ho-Chunk
Sidney Whitesell, Standing Rock Sioux
Oscar White Weasel, Cheyenne River Sioux
Charles White Wolf, Oglala Sioux
Judge William Dean Wilson, Diné
John Woodenlegs, Northern Cheyenne
Albert Yellowtail, Apsáalooke-Crow
Robert Yellowtail, Apsáalooke-Crow
Susie Yellowtail, Apsáalooke-Crow
Thomas Yellowtail, Apsáalooke-Crow
B.J. Youngbird, Mandan, Gros Ventre, Arikara
Bill Youpee, Sisseton-Yankton Sioux
Judge F.B. Zahn, Standing Rock Sioux
5) All American Indian Days Board Presidents and Members (1974–1980)
This later era of AAID leadership managed the program during years of organizational change, national economic shifts, and evolving tribal representation. They preserved the event’s visibility and ensured continuity of its core mission: strengthening cross‑cultural understanding. The Indian Executive Committee officially merged into the board structure for the organization during these years.
Presidents
Marvin Parsons
Bill Pease (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Members
Carol Andersen (Yankton Sioux)
Ronald Andersen (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Dick Anderson
Douglas Arbogast
Cecelia Bearchum (Walla Walla-Yakama)
Fred Beaver, Creek Seminole
John Belindo (Kiowa, Diné)
Helen Benth
Frankie Birdwell
Roland Bishee
Truman Bollinger
Eddie Box (Southern Ute)
Sam Buffalo (Southern Cheyenne)
John W. Brubaker
Hal Butler (White Mountain Apache)
Mrs. Donald Carroll
Shirley Carroll
Milton Chilcott
William Cook, Jr.
Rose Mary Cornelius (Oneida)
Edith Dawdy
Donald Deernose (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Robert Eastman (Apsáalooke-Crow)
John Emhoola, Jr. (Kiowa)
Elmer Enzi
Dr. George Ewan
John Ferries
Pete Fetsco
Marcia Flynn
Anita Fisher (Arapaho)
Marvin Franklin (Iowa)
Tanya Goodman
George Gover (Pawnee)
Mary Greendeer (Oneida)
Lillian Hassey
James O. Heath
Vern I. Helsberg
John Hill, Sr. (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Vivian Holts (Oneida)
Philip James
Rudolph King (Northern Cheyenne)
Richard Kratt
Stanley Kuzara
Marion D. Ladd
Ira Left Hand (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Pat Lipetzky
Xavier Little Owl (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Nathan Little Soldier (Sioux)
Pat Little Wolf (Northern Cheyenne)
Alvina Lucero (Isleta Pueblo)
Ron Lupe (White Mountain Apache)
Jim Malen
John Mandan
Duane Mandan (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Frank McCabe (Diné)
Bernard McManus
Judy Meggesto (Iroquois)
Joyce Meling
George Meredith
Pat Meyers
Arthur Motanic (Umatilla)
John D. (Jack) Mullinax
Linda Oswald
Marvin Parsons
Bill Pease (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Doris Pierson
June Poitras (Klamath)
Dora Quaorpts (Yakama)
Franklin J. Reed
John Rompf
Marion Rompf
Bonnie Russell (Pawnee)
Tom Shakespeare (Arapaho)
Michael Shoumaker
Dorothy Snake (Cherokee)
Pat Spear
Darwin St. Clair (Shoshone)
Robert Stewart
LeRoy D. Taylor
Bernard Thomas
Tom Trueblood
Sonny Tuttle (Santee Sioux)
Harry Weimer
Alex Wesley (Yakama)
Leroy Westika
Clara White Hip (Apsáalooke-Crow)
John Whiteman Runs Him (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Louella Whiteman (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Sidney Whitesell (Standing Rock Sioux)
Judge W. Dean Wilson (Diné)
Sam Windy Boy (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Bill Youpee (Sisseton-Yankton Sioux)
Russell York
6) National Miss Indian America Presidents and Members (1981–1984)
Following organizational transitions in the early 1980s, the Miss Indian America program continued under a dedicated board that maintained the spirit and visibility of Indigenous representation. These leaders upheld long‑established relationships with tribal communities while guiding the program into a new decade.
Presidents
Jack Mullinax 1981-1982
Marvin Parsons 1982-1983
Jack O. Booth 1983-1984
Members
Carol Andersen (Yankton Sioux)
Ron Andersen (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Douglas Arbogast
George Barker
Cecilia Bearchum (Walla Walla, Yakama)
Terry Beartusk (Northern Cheyenne)
Vincent Bender (Chippewa)
Myra Bender
Helen Benth
Mickie Bidwell
Jack O. Booth
Eddie Box, Southern Ute
Sam Buffalo (Southern Cheyenne)
Don Carroll
Shirley Carroll
Rev. Raymond Clark
Pat Darcy (Northern Cheyenne, Chippewa)
Edith R. Dawdy
Donald Deernose, Apsáalooke-Crow
Dorothy Enzi
Eddie Fox
Tate Frazier
Sam Green
Mary Greendeer (Oneida)
Beverly Gorzalka
Kenneth Harragarra (Otoe-Missouria)
Michelle Havenga
Vern L. Helsberg
John Hill, Sr. (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Ron Holt (Nez Perce)
Matha Inman
Ilene Iron Cloud (Yankton Sioux)
Ross Iverson
Phillip James
Rudolph King (Northern Cheyenne)
Richard Kraft
Stanley Kuzara
Wesley LeBeau (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Nathan Littlesoldier (Sioux)
Danny Lopez (Papago)
Alvina Lucero (Isleta Pueblo)
Duane Mandan (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Jack Marosok
Leonard McEwan
John McIntyre
Bernard McManus
Myrna Medicine Horse (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Joe Medicine Crow (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Alice Meister
Joyce Meling
Pat Meyers
Ralph Meyers
John D. (Jack) Mullinax
Harold Newton
Linda Oswald
Marvin Parsons
John Patton
Doris Pierson
Herbert Pierson
Steve Pine (Ho-Chunk)
June Poitras (Klamath)
John Rainer, Jr. (Taos Pueblo)
June Ray
John Rompf
Marian Rompf
Tamera Roush
Bonnie Russell (Pawnee)
Ned Russell (Apache)
Tom Shakespeare (Arapaho)
Michael Shoumaker
LeRoy D. Taylor
K.C. Thompson
Reatha Thrope
Lloyd Vernon
Dr. Montana H.P. Walking Bull
Alex Wesley (Yakama)
Sidney Whitesell (Standing Rock Sioux)
Judge William Wilson (Diné)
Ozzie Williamson (Blackfeet)
Robert J. Wyatt
Bill Youpee (Sisseton-Yankton Sioux)
7) North American Indian Foundation (1960-1991)
Formed to support the long‑term success of the Miss Indian America program and AAID’s broader mission, the Foundation provided organizational continuity, fundraising, and national advocacy. Members helped secure AAID’s legacy through preservation efforts, partnerships, and community representation. After licensing “Miss Indian America Pageant” from 1985-89, the event was never held again.
Helen Benth
James E. Birchby
Dr. Truman Cheney
Dr. Joe Medicine Crow (Apsáalooke-Crow)
Harrison L. Cook
Donald Deernose (Apsáalooke-Crow)
John Dregoiw
Mrs. John B. Duncan
Dorothy Enzi
James E. Goar
Mrs. Paul E. Haug
Waldo Hurley
Stanley Kuzara
Mrs. J. N. Legerski
Ralph A. Levi
Eddie Livingston
Mrs. Kenneth Mygatt
Harold Newton
Ed Niehay
Carl J. Pearson
Father Peter J. Powell
Carl Rott
Dean Sage
E.R. Shovlain
Donald Tannehill
Floyd Tetreault
F. I. Vernon
John Yale