"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Little Miss and Mister Cherokee

From left to right: Chelbie Turtle, age 6-7 division Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador, Chenoa Turtle, age 4-5 division Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador, Zayden Dreadfulwater, age 4-5 division Little Mister Cherokee Ambassador. Not pictured are Kiah Goff, age 11-13 division Little Mister Cherokee Ambassador, Mariah Gardner, age 11-13 division Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador, Lily Smith, age 8-10 division Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador, Wazhozha Palmer, age 8-10 division Little Mister Cherokee Ambassador and Cierra Fields, co-ambassador for age 8-10 year-old Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation recently held the Little Miss and Mister Cherokee Ambassador Competition in Tahlequah. The event was held in conjunction with the 56th Annual Cherokee National Holiday.

“This competition is always a lot of fun,” said Joyce Bunch, event coordinator. “It is amazing to see how knowledgeable these young Cherokees are about our heritage.”

In the four to five year-old division, Chenoa Turtle of Vinita was selected as Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador and Zayden Dreadfulwater of Salina was crowned Little Mister Cherokee Ambassador. Chenoa is the daughter of Jeff Turtle and Lisa Trice-Turtle and Zayden is the son of Wauneta Henson and Carl Dreadfulwater, Jr.

Chelbie Turtle received the Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador crown in the six to seven year-old division. Chelbie is also the daughter of Jeff Turtle and Lisa Trice-Turtle of Vinita.

In the eight to ten year-old division, Lily Smith and Cierra Fields won the title of Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador. The title of Little Mister Cherokee Ambassador in the eight to ten year-old division was awarded to Wazhozha Palmer. Lily is the daughter of Ashlee Smith Ritter of Tahlequah and Cierra is the daughter of Richard and Terri Fields of St. Helens, Oregon. Wazhozha is the son of CJ and Tonya Giger of Tahlequah.

Mariah Gardner won the Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador title in the 11 to 13 year-old division and Kiah Goff was crowned Little Mister Cherokee Ambassador in the division. Mariah is the daughter of Forrest and Angela Gardner of Salina and Kiah is the son of Mika Goff of Sallisaw.

The Little Miss and Mister Cherokee Ambassador Competition is a way to promote leadership and culture among Cherokee youth. The winners of the competition act as goodwill ambassadors for the tribe and promote the government, language, history and traditions of the Cherokee people.

Contestants were judged on traditional dress, Cherokee history/traditions and cultural knowledge interview and the contestant’s poise and personality.

The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 in tribute to the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. It has grown into one of the largest events in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 visitors from across the world.

Each year a theme is chosen for the Cherokee National Holiday that celebrates Cherokee Nation’s rich heritage and culture. The 2008 theme is "di ni yo tli u na li s de lv do di, Planting the Seed Corn for our Children's Future."

“In this theme, we honor all the Cherokee parents and grandparents whose everyday actions are dedicated to establishing strong, self-sufficient children and communities. Cherokee community members have great respect for these individuals who care and plan for the Cherokee Nation’s leaders of tomorrow,” said Smith.