Miss Indian Nations ready to step down

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On Sept. 9, the reign of Miss Indian Nations IV will come full circle as a new princess is chosen. Teresa Snow, a 22-year-old Goodstoney Nakoda Sioux/Yuma Quechan Indian from Morley, Alta., is preparing to pass on the crown and title she's held for the past year.

It's become a memorable year for this young lady who was the first Canadian to ever win the crown.

Snow has a few suggestions for anyone planing to compete for the title at Bismarck, North Dakota. This particular competition, she says, "is based on the cultural program, and they really look at your education."

That's why, she explains, she waited until she had graduated with a certificate and diploma in criminology, majoring in Law Enforcement, from Calgary's Mount Royal College. She knew it would be a huge plus factor for her. Additional strengths she relied upon were her speaking abilities and a rounded knowledge of her culture.

As a proficient champion Fancy Shawl Dancer, she often performed exhibition dances during her reign at malls, conferences, powwows, etc. A number of such appearances were in the company of other dignitaries, the most recent being alongside Miss Indian World, Crystal Pewo, at the North American Indigenous Games in Minnesota.

Their two titles, she adds, are "a big thing" in the states. It's very prestigious and many of those who fail to win the Miss Indian World contest in the spring enter the National Miss Indian Nations Pageant at Bismarck in the fall.

It is an "honor that provides a tremendous opportunity to recognize the achievements of our young Native American women and encourages their success, making them role models and ambassadors of goodwill, " she claims.

The contest is a great experience and Snow encourages girls to consider entering. There are usually about 20 contestants and it requires a $350 entry fee. Chaperones are provided and the eventual winner receives many gifts. Snow recalls being presented with a $1,000 scholarship as well as numerous gifts including three different jackets, a huge star blanket, jewelry and so forth.

One thing the winner has to be prepared for are the many appearances at various functions. A number of these are on very short notice, such as the recent request she had to appear at the International Native Arts Festival in Calgary. That only happened about two days beforehand.

At present, Snow is co-ordinating a powow for Mount Royal College graduates and new students at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on the Tsuu T'ina Reserve. She's uncertain about returning to school this fall.

"I auditioned for the American Indian Dance Theatre in New York while I was at the Indigenous games in Minnesota," she explain. If fortunate enough to be selected, she will pursue that. If not, she will likely return to classes in January . . . maybe in Regina or Victoria.

As for the Indian pageants, she'd like to see the development of Canadian ones that might be similar to those in the states.

"The friends I made, the times I spent. . . it was a really good experience," she says.

Snow, incidentally, has been nominated for the Native Arts Foundation's Youth Award as well as the Role Model Award. One of her additional talents falls in the line of art. In '89 she won the junior category of the Peace Hills Art Contest with a drawing she did of a traditional dancer, Kevin Heywahay from Saskatchewan. Although she contemplates getting back into some of her art, she is also weighing the possibility of entering the RCMP. If her track record means anything, she'll most likely succeed at anything she attempts.