Film Projects

American Nizhoni

Fifty years ago in late summer, a young Navajo woman could merely show up at the Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock, Arizona, stand on the stage with 20 or so other young Navajo girls, and by audience applause, be selected Miss Navajo Nation. There were no responsibilities and her reign was nothing more than ceremonial.

Over the years, the leaders of the Navajo Nation realized the potential of this position. They envisioned this as an opportunity to help preserve their culture, share it with others within the Navajo Nation, as well as across America and even the world.

Today, when a young woman receives the title, she is expected to honor her people as a goodwill ambassador through a full-time paid position. Getting there however is no easy task and each year it becomes more difficult to find qualified candidates to complete for this unique opportunity to serve her people.

Unlike so many other pageants across America, this pageant is less about beauty than preserving a culture. Contestants must be fluent in both Navajo and English and knowledgeable about their culture. They must demonstrate traditional skills that have been passed down from generation to generation.

There are many pageants held across the United States. But ask anyone who has heard of the Miss Navajo pageant, and they will tell you, there is none like it. The young women who compete will tell you there is nothing like it. They will tell you it is one of the hardest things they have ever done in their life. It is something they have thought about doing since they were little girls. The contestants will tell you they don't think they are competant enough to compete, but have finally mustered the courage to do so after many years of dreaming of the day they would. They have tried hard to honor their parents and grandparents in learning as much as they could about their culture.

Only three young women felt worthy enough to compete in 2002, the smallest pageant in its 50-year history. In the weeks leading up the to pageant, storyteller John Goheen spent time with all three candidates; getting to know them and learning the details and reasons behind why they were competing. Granted full access by pageant organizers, Goheen captured not only what happens behind-the-scenes, but also what each girl is thinking and experiencing during the weeklong festivities that included interviews in the Navajo language and butchering sheep. You will discover the history of the pageant and meet the second Miss Navajo, as she tells her story of how she won the title half a century ago. You will spend time with the current Miss Navajo; find out what her year was like and how it changed her life and that of others. You will experience the inner workings of this unique pageant and go through the day-to-day life of these three young women.

View the American Nizhoni video