Miss Indian World Contestant

-What is Miss Indian World?

Founded in 1983, Miss Indian World is a five-day competition held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The event is part of the annual Gathering of Nations, the largest Native American powwow Globally. Young women from across North America represent their tribes and communities as they compete to win the crown. Rather than emphasizing contestants' outward appearance, Miss Indian World aims to select a winner who demonstrates a deep understanding of her culture, traditions, people and history.

Once awarded the title, Miss Indian World acts as a cultural representative, promoting individually-selected platforms, sharing Native American culture, spreading awareness of causes, using her platform for good and representing the annual Gathering of Nations event. This role is vital to the native community because it helps perpetuate healthy Indigenous women role models and overturn negative stereotypes.

-Who I am and why I need your support:

My name is Makaśa ( Red Earth in the Lakota Language); I am Mohawk Wolf Clan on my maternal lineage from Six Nations Ontario, where I reside. I am Lakota, from the Cheyenne River, South Dakota, on my paternal side. I went to Mohawk Immersion for my education and now attend McMaster University. From as far back as I can remember as a little girl, I had always dreamed of seeing Miss Indian World everywhere, in mainstream media, on television in magazines, healthily representing us. If you support me, I will advocate for access to clean water for all Indigenous people. I will be a voice for water, to educate people on why conserving our waterways, restoring the health of our rivers and lakes should be a priority as we enter the current climate crisis. I will promise to be a role model of healthy living, sobriety and cultural strength.

-What and why I need assistance:

I have no status card from Six Nations and have had to work through my university education. The costs of tuition, books and living expenses leave me in debt. This Summer, I must pay off my tuition to graduate with a combined degree in Sociology and Indigenous Studies (over 8,000). I have worked several jobs throughout the last four years to make ends meet. As a youth leader of the Ohneganos Research Project, the position I am passionate about is only part-time. Miss Indian World would help me cover some costs of my education and provide a platform to advocate and be a voice for water and the environment. The prices of hotels, regalia, travel (airfare, ground transportation, parking, food) and participation in the contest exceed 8,500.00 Canadian or 7,300 US. The MIW is held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I would leave Six Nations from April 25th-May 2. I must also sell a minimum of 500 tickets to raise money for their Pow Wow as part of the contest (they receive those funds, and the winner gets some). Every donation will help and is greatly appreciated.

Nia:wen! in advance, I genuinely appreciate it