Tory Marie Eagle Speaker [windspeaker confidential]

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?
Torry Eagle Speaker: Honesty. We all need at least one honest friend to rely on.

W: What is it that really makes you mad?
T.E.S.: Negative people who try to bring me down. I’ve been told not to focus on it and to pray for those people, also to use reverse psychology, such as smiling or shaking hands with that person in a positive way.

W: When are you at your happiest?
T.E.S.: When I’m at a powwow with my family and friends.

W: What one word best describes you when you are at your worst?
T.E.S.: Over-thinker.

W: What one person do you most admire and why?
T.E.S.: My mom Tanya Eagle Speaker, because she is a hard working woman who strives to achieve her goals and never gives up no matter how hard the situation is.

W: What is the most difficult thing you’ve ever had to do?
T.E.S.: Having to see my late grandfather suffer with cancer for 11 months last year. It was very difficult to see him in pain. It matured me mentally, like it taught me to not take life for granted and that everything is going to be okay; not right away but eventually. Life goes on.

W: What is your greatest accomplishment?
T.E.S.: I’d have to say winning the princess title Miss Manito Ahbee. This title will teach me to be more responsible, committed, and compassionate, because this title honours a young woman who went missing and was found murdered in July of 2009, Cherisse Houle. Also, to honor all the missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada. I will carry her story in my heart and carry to bring awareness of Cherisse and the missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

W: What one goal remains out of reach?
T.E.S.: Miss Indian World. Right now because of my age and my post-secondary school plans, but it is something I will strive for in the future.

W: If you couldn’t do what you’re doing today, what would you be doing?
T.E.S.: I really can’t imagine doing anything else because I am happy and content where I am at. I have a great family, wonderful friends and I am looking forward to going to college or university.

W: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
T.E.S.: To respect myself and to respect others, and to treat others the way I want to be treated.

W: Did you take it?
T.E.S.: Yes I did.

W: How do you hope to be remembered?
T.E.S.: I hope to be remembered as someone who is humble, respectful, friendly, and has strong morals and values.

Torry Marie Eagle Speaker was crowned Miss Manito Ahbee Travelling Princess for 2011/2012. Torry started dancing at the age of eight learning traditional dance and then began training as a hoop dancer.

Torry hails from the Blackfoot and Dene Tribes and her Blackfoot name is Miistamohkspiakii, which means “Holy Red Dancer.” It is her grandmother Maggie Eagle Speaker’s name.

As Torry grew she continued her studies of traditional dance and was crowned at age 13 the 2007 International Peace Powwow Miss Junior Blackfoot Canada. She was also named Kainai Senior Princess for 2008/2009.

Torry comes from a family of two very supportive parents—Myron and Tanya Eagle Speaker who travel with her on her trips, as well as siblings Kalli, Darby and Darcy. Torry speaks very highly of all her family and understands the importance of passing along the traditions of her tribe.
She has taught dancing to younger children in the Blood Tribe. As well as her duties as Miss Manito Ahbee Travelling Princess, Torry is able to maintain a work/life balance. She has her hobbies of sewing, beading and music and Grade 12 to finish. She hopes to continue on to post-secondary education.

She says of her future, “My ambitions will always include learning and upholding our cultural teachings so that one day I may be a knowledge keeper of our language and culture. I will continue to dance, attend ceremonies and learn my Blackfoot language.” She acknowledges the many distractions and pitfalls that can befall us by also saying, “In my ambitions I will strive to be a good role model to my peers and family by practicing a clean and sober lifestyle. I will uphold my values of compassion, humility and love in all that I do.”