Shi Yazhi Pageant 2013

by John Aldrich

The Shi Yazhi Pageant has been part of our annual rug show since 2005. At first glance one might be tempted to think that this is simply another beauty pageant for young girls, but nothing could be further from the truth. This is an event of cultural celebration designed to be an opportunity for young urban Navajo girls to learn about and actually practice their culture.

Navajo families living in northern Utah are often distanced from their heritage, and the children grow up immersed in Anglo culture with little opportunity to learn about their own cultural identity. Eileen Quintana, who has been the moving force behind this event from the beginning, envisioned the Shi Yazhi pageant as a chance to change this.

To participate in the pageant each contestant must present herself in traditional Navajo dress, learn to introduce herself in the Navajo language using her clan lineage, and demonstrate a traditional Navajo skill. All of this requires a big commitment on the part of both the participant and her family.

The winner of the contest then reigns as our Shi Yazhi Princess for the ensuing year and represents the Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program at a variety of events. As symbols of her position, the Princess wears this crown and sash.

The first event on the road to this crown takes place several weeks prior to the rug show - in this case yesterday October 19th. All of the contestants appear at this time and are judged on the criteria mentioned above. From this initial field of contestants, three finalists are chosen who will appear on Saturday morning at the Rug Show when the final winner will be named.

At yesterday's event there were five contestants vying for the title, and this included two pairs of sisters.

The participants included Kolotita Mila and her younger sister Marlena on the left, Tiffany Grace Singer, and Monika Komar with her older sister Jasmine on the right.

In addition to the extensive preparations required to participate in all three phases of the judging, a good measure of courage is needed as well. Standing up before the judges and audience isn't easy, especially for the youngest girls. The two youngest were happy to have their older sisters at hand to give them some coaching when needed.

In the end, though, everyone was able to stand on their own.

A variety of talents were shown when it came time for the girls to demonstrate their traditional Navajo skill.

Kolotita and Marlena each had created a painting. The history of painting in Navajo culture is tied primarily to the art of sand painting used in traditional ceremonies. In this case, the girls created art with more personal meanings which they explained to the judges.

For her skill, Tiffany demonstrated the art of basket weaving. She described both the technical aspects of creating a traditional basket as well as the symbolism contained in the ceremonial basket design.

Monika performed a basket dance, counting her steps in Navajo.

Jasmine demonstrated how a Navajo infant is wrapped in a cradle board. We have seen this skill performed previously, but never with a real live baby.

The judges had a challenge choosing the three finalists after being presented with all this talent.

We are grateful to Shirlee Silversmith, Rose Yazzie, and Margie Upshaw Dobson for serving as judges. Rose clearly has experience with royalty since she serves as the American Indian Woman Scholar at the University of Utah.

As Shirlee addressed the contestants prior to announcing the winners, she pointed out that everyone who participated was, in fact, a winner. We applaud all of the contestants each of whom brought their individual talents and charm to the occasion, and we hope that the experience will serve to make each a better person as they grow in appreciation of their culture.

In the end, though, it had to come down to three, and as they were announced, they came and stood before the judges' table.

We look forward to seeing Tiffany, Jasmine, and Kolotita again at 10:00 on Saturday morning at the rug show when we find out who will serve as next year's Shi Yazhi Princess.

Here is a closing look at the cast of characters.

Join us at the show on November 9th for the final chapter in this wonderful event.

Thanksgiving 2012 ( - - - and more)

by John Aldrich

We hope that all of you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Our own celebration took place a week ago today at the warehouse. This was the annual potluck dinner to honor all volunteers who helped make this another very successful year for the Program.

The warehouse was filled to capacity with nearly a hundred people gathered  together to share in this event. There was ample time before the meal for visiting:

Once we sat down to eat, though, everyone was preoccupied with the large variety of delicious dishes that were available to choose from. Linda pointed out that this dinner tradition started out with the intention that people could share their recipes. That didn't happen, but we were all in awe of the varied creations that came from the different kitchens.

This view shows just a few of the many tasty choices that were available in addition to traditional turkey and ham:

There was also some "unfinished business" that needed to be completed this night. At the rug show we were unable to have the crowning of our new Shi Yazhi princess because her family needed to be out of town. So, after dinner we were treated to the crowning ceremony.

Last year's princess, Emma Laughlin, has served beautifully in her role and was sad to give up her crown. But she was honored with a number of gifts for her service. Eileen Quintana who, along with Shirlee Sliversmith, directs the pageant, presented Emma with her gifts which included a sash belt which she can use when it's time for her Kinaalda.

Our new princess, Star Nez, then stepped to the microphone to introduce herself in Navajo, one of the things that pageant participants must learn to do.

Though only six, Star impressed everyone with her poise and self-confidence.

Emma proudly passed the crown to Star.

Star may have had a bit of an advantage over other contest participants because she had a role model to follow. Her older sister Carly was our princess three years ago. Here are Star and Carly with their mother, Carma.

Star was presented with a variety of gifts including a Pendleton blanket -

- as well as a doll and a ceremonial basket.

Thus, the evening presented a fitting conclusion to the current year and an optimistic look ahead to next year.